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Alexander Zverev stopped Roger Federer from winning his 100th career title with a 7-5, 7-6 (5) victory on Saturday to qualify for the ATP final championship game.
Zverev, 21, is the youngest player to reach the final of this end-of-season event since 2009 and the first German since 1996.
Federer, 37, was looking for a seventh title that would extend his record, but was unable to cope with the pressure created by Zverev's power and accuracy at the O2 Arena.
A series of inspired shots earned Zverev the first points of the match in the 12th match and Federer sent a wide forehand to fall behind.
Federer broke for a 2-1 lead in the second set, but Zverev was quickly prepared to return in the next match.
The second set finally went to a tie that was surrounded by controversy.
Serving at 3-4 in the deciding game in the second set and with Federer in a strong position in the rally, Zverev stopped the game when he spotted a ball boy behind Federer who had dropped the ball and s & # 39; He was advanced to pick it up.
The referee duly called a let and when the point was replayed, Zverev won. After sealing the victory, Zverev said that he had expressed his apology to Federer at the net.
"I want to apologize for the situation in the decisive game," Zverev said. "The ball boy dropped the ball – it's in the rules that we replay the point."
Sections of the crowd inside London 's O2 then began to booze Zverev, but the field interviewer, former British player Annabel Croft, said: is rushed for the defense of Zverev. "I'm not sure why you're all booing," she says. "I think you have to be a little more respectful."
Zverev will play a decisive title with either Novak Djokovic or Kevin Anderson, who will play in the other semifinal later Saturday.
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