Alexander Zverev scored a straight-sets win over Novak Djokovic at the inaugural World Tennis League, earning Team Hawks a win over the Falcons in their tie.
Hawks top the World Tennis League after two days of the exhibition event in Dubai.
The German helped the Hawks to a Day 2 triumph over the Falcons by edging the 21-time Grand Slam champion 6-3, 6-4 in the final rubber of the night, resulting in a 30-27 total victory.
Novak made a break in the opening game of the match, but Zverev hit back, breaking twice to move ahead. The Hamburg native took the momentum into the second set to capitalise on his chance in the very first game, but Novak fought back immediately to draw level. Crucial break came in the fifth game, this time Zverev held to consolidate the lead and went on to seal the win.
Zverev has been away from competition since undergoing surgery last June after tearing ligaments in his ankle while playing Roland Garros semifinal against eventual titlist Rafael Nadal.
Earlier in the day, Grigor Dimitrov and Paula Badosa beat Dominic Thiem and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 5-7, 6-3, 10-4 in three sets in the mixed doubles, and then Elena Rybakina defeated Aryna Sabalenka 0-6, 6-1, 10-6 to level the scoreline.
Nole is set to return to the court on Friday for the Falcons meeting with the Kites, where he is scheduled to play Austrian Sebastian Ofner.
The two best teams will meet in the final on Saturday, December 24.
Photo: Profimedia
