Roger Federer claims ninth Gerry Weber Open title with win over Alexander Zverev

World No 5 warms up for Wimbledon with immaculate display of tennis in Germany

By Raz Mirza

Highlights of the final between Roger Federer and Alexander Zverev from Halle

Roger Federer produced a masterclass of a performance against a deflated Alexander Zverev to claim a record-extending ninth Gerry Weber Open title in Halle on Sunday.

In a battle of generations, it was Federer who turned back the clock to teach 20-year-old Zverev a lesson in grass-court tennis with an accomplished 6-1 6-3 victory in just 53 minutes as he laid down a marker in the lead-up to Wimbledon.

Federer produced this classy drop shot as he closed out the first set

The 18-time Grand Slam champion, who skipped the clay court season after winning the Australian Open and titles in Indian Wells and Miami, to prepare for the grass campaign, looked in ominous form from the start and won the title without dropping a single set all week.

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"It has been a difficult year with a lot of practice, training and rehab so I am very happy to be back on the court," Federer said.

"I do not know if I will ever be going to win this tournament again so I will enjoy this one," said the Swiss, who has won eight Wimbledon titles.

Zverev conjured up this outstanding volley just when he needed it

The 35-year-old, defeated in his first comeback match in Stuttgart last week, was aggressive from the start, breaking in the first game to take control and it wasn't long before he reeled off the opening set in 22 minutes.
Zverev, 20 and the youngest player in the world top 40, defeated
Federer in three sets in the semi-finals here in 2016, but he was unable to cope with the Swiss star's service power and pacey groundstrokes.

The Swiss was like a box full of tricks as he landed another stunning drop shot

A drop shot put Federer 5-2 ahead in the next and he sealed victory two games later on his first match point with a cross-court volley.

Federer has shown imperious form all week and he will next head into Wimbledon, which starts on July 3, as the favourite to win an outright record eighth title.

Federer showed he's still able to recover from impossible positions at the age of 35

Federer v Zverev: Match Stats

4	Aces	0
0	Double faults	0
67%	First serve percentage	73%
93%	First serve points won	53%
50%	Second serve points won	38%
4/8	Break points converted	0/1
8	Unforced errors	12
22	Winners	12
58/91	Total Points Won	33/91