Alexander Zverev

Federer and Zverev smash record

 

A crowd of 42,217 watched an exhibition match between Federer and Zverev at Plaza de Toros Mexico – the world's largest bullring – in Mexico City on Saturday.

Serena Williams and Kim Clijsters had previously set the record in their exhibition contest in 2010, which attracted 35,681 fans in Brussels.

But that figure was topped as 20-time grand slam champion Federer defeated Zverev 3-6 6-4 6-2 in the "The Greatest Match".

Zverev trumps Djokovic in Rome

The 20-year-old Zverev won 6-4 6-3 to become the youngest player to win an ATP 1000 tournament since Djokovic, aged 19 in Miami, a decade ago. He became the first player born in the 1990s to win a Masters title.

Zverev broke four-time Rome champion Djokovic, the world No 2, in the first game and never relented, solidifying his break advantage with an ace before romping to the finish line.

Zverev will improve his world ranking to No 10 after a stunning week that also included victories over Fabio Fognini, who had eliminated Andy Murray, Milos Raonic and John Isner.

Zverev to meet Djokovic

Zverev outlasted John Isner 6-4 6-7 6-1 before Djokovic needed less than an hour to beat Dominic Thiem 6-1 6-0.

Zverev, the 20-year-old German, becomes the youngest player to reach a ATP 1000 final since Djokovic, aged 19, in 2007. Sunday's meeting in the Rome final, live on Sky Sports 3 HD from 1pm, is their first career meeting.

Zverev, the world No 17, had already beaten Andy Murray's conqueror Fabio Fognini and then Milos Raonic earlier in the competition and his impressive streak continued in Saturday's semi-final.