German teenager Alexander Zverev continued his rise to prominence by upsetting Roger Federer 7-6 (7-4) 5-7 6-3 to book a place in the Gerry Weber Open final.
Advertisement
Victory against the iconic Swiss in just over two hours leaves Federer with nine days prior to the start of Wimbledon to polish his grass game for the grand slam which he has won seven times. Should Zverev win it will be the first career title of his fledgling career.
It may not hurt Federer to lose another match in his next competition, but it would certainly be monumental for Federer’s confidence if he could approach Wimbledon on a winning note. It depends more on me, how I play, how I feel. “I’m playing well, but he’s the best player ever on this surface”, admitted 19-year-old Zverev after the surprise win. He was also good at the net, especially in the first set, in which he broke all of Goffin’s serves.
The world number six, and second seed for the grass court tournament, had been due to face German’s Florian Mayer but was not fit enough to take to court in Halle.
Federer never faced a break point and fired 11 aces to reach the second round. Murray’s frustration mounted as he failed to convert three break points in the next game and Cilic went on to level the match. The Frenchman looked to have gained the momentum as he clinched the 2nd set, but Edmund turned the contest around early in the 3rd, to register a big win at 6-4, 3-6, 6-1.
Seeking a first tournament success in 2016, as well as his fourth in a row in Halle, Federer claimed a solitary break to take the opening set against Jaziri.
Advertisement
Federer earnt the first break of the match at 5-5 in the second with a sublime drop shot before finishing off the set with two service winners.
