Roger Federer marched into the semifinals at the ATP Finals once again on Tuesday but he made hard work of the task before finally prevailing 7-6(6) 5-7 6-1 in a high quality battle of the generations with Germany’s Alexander Zverev.
The 36-year-old six-time champion may have been giving away 16 years to the youngster fancied to be the game’s next major force but Federer proved in a dominant third set that, for the moment, he still remains a cut above his young pursuers, Marca reported.
The triumph in two hours and 11 minutes ensured the 19-time grand slam champion booked a place in the last four for the 14th time in 15 appearances and with the tournament still only three days old.
It also meant that Zverev, 20, and Jack Sock, 25, will now meet on Thursday to decide the other qualifier from the Boris Becker group. Sock earlier produced a dramatic comeback triumph 5-7 6-2 7-6(4) over the erratic Marin Cilic, 29, who is now eliminated after two straight defeats.
World number two Federer looks even more of an overwhelming favorite for a seventh crown in the absence of Rafael Nadal, who has pulled out injured from the tournament.
“It sounds great,” Federer said after being told of his record of 14 semifinal appearances. He had high praise for Zverev, too, after being tested for two fierce sets before finally dismantling the increasingly weary-looking world number three.
“I’m very excited for his future. He’s a wonderful guy and a great, great player.”With no classic Nadal clash on the horizon, the duel between Federer and Zverev was the most eagerly anticipated of the week.
