Zverev challenges boo-boys to knock out Federer and organizes Djokovic final

LONDON (Reuters) – Alexander Zverev won one of the most important victories in his fledgling career by defeating Roger Federer to win the title game in the ATP final. He has, however, become a nasty pantomime unintentionally in strange scenes at Saturday's 02 Arena.

The 21-year-old German coach produced a dazzling tennis and deserved a 7-5 7-6 (5) win over the headache against the champion six times to stage a clash on Sunday with world number one Novak Djokovic.

As he has done all week and for most of the last six months, Djokovic was in top form to beat South African Kevin Anderson 6-2 6-2 late in the day.

Zverev faces a monumental task facing relentless Djokovic, whom he lost 6 to 4 to 6-1 at the preliminary round stage, but he will surely have a more equitable audience than against Federer.

Rather than being able to celebrate becoming the first German since 1996 to reach the finals of a tournament often referred to as "fifth slam" since Boris Becker, he was booed and booed in his post-match speech.

All this because when serving at 3-4 in the deciding game of the second set and with Federer, rally manager, Zverev shouted "hang on" and stopped the point after being distracted by a bullet dropped by a ball player on the other end of the field.

Federer looked puzzled, but after Brazilian referee Carlos Bernardes checked with the boy, who checked Zverev's complaint, the point was resumed.

The crowd in love with Federer was boiling and to make matters worse, Zverev went on and crashed a 137 mph ace to level the score at 4-4.

Federer then attempted a volley at 4-5 (which caused even more ruckus in the crowd) and two points later, Zverev sealed the victory by scoring a volley.

Rather than sinking into the glory of beating the Grand Slam champion twenty times, the ruffled young man finally apologized for a situation that did not concern him.

"I want to apologize for the situation in the decisive game," Zverev told the court. "The ball player dropped the ball and it's in the rules that we have to play the point again.

"I apologized to Roger at the net and he said," It's okay, it's in the rules. "

Boos rang the arena again, forcing field interviewer Annabel Croft to take up her defense.

"I'm not sure why you boo, he's telling the truth," she told the crowd. "The ball boy crossed the field and disrupted the game. I think you have to be a little more respectful, these are the rules. "

Appeared at the attack

Federer, who will have to wait until next year for his 100th career title, was briefly shaken at his post-match press conference when he was asked if the incident it had affected.

"Of course yes. (The point) has been replayed. I got caught, "said the 37-year-old.

He admitted, however, that Zverev had nothing to complain about.

"I do not question in any way Sascha's sportsmanship," he said. "I think Sascha has the courage to stop the rally, because the referee can just say," Sorry, buddy, you're in the rally. I'm mad. You lost the point. I have not seen it. "

"I do not know what the rule says. I've always thought it was a decision of the referee, not a decision of the player. "

ABSORBENT DUEL

The chaotic climax of the competition eclipsed this exciting duel between Federer's trick and variety, against Zverev's base power and his forays into the net.

After 11 games without a stop, Federer started to blink.

Zverev grabbed a volley from Federer to make a superb forehand pass before going 0-30 on the Federer service. He then offered two points and the set as the right shot of the second player malfunctioned.

Federer was not about to leave without a fight and a backhand pass similar to that of a rapier allowed him to take a break earlier in the second set, but Zverev could retaliate immediately.

The songs of "let's Roger, let's go" were echoed around the arena at the beginning of the first decisive game, but Zverev silenced the noise to prevail.

He will need the same mental strength Sunday.