Roger Federer survives ATP World Tour finals shock vs Alexander Zverev

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Tom Doyle14 November 2017

Roger Federer overcame a stern test from 20-year-old Alexander Zverev to reach the last four of the ATP World Tour finals with a 7-6 (8-6), 5-7, 6-1 victory.

The Swiss legend looked in real danger against youngster Zverev after they both took a set each, but Federer blitzed the deciding set to claim a spot in the semi-finals of the competition for the 14th time in 15 years.

The 36-year-old six-times champion may have been giving away 16 years to the man tipped to be the next superstar of the game, but Federer proved in a dominant third set that for the moment he remains a cut above his young pursuers.

The triumph in 2 hours, 11 minutes puts the 19-times grand slam champion in Saturday's semi-finals with the tournament still only three days old.

(Getty Images)
Julian Finney/Getty Images

It also meant that Zverev and Jack Sock, who earlier battled from behind to beat Marin Cilic 5-7, 6-2 7,-6(4), will now meet on Thursday to decide the other qualifier from the Boris Becker group.

Federer's win ensured Cilic, once again a disappointment at the season-ending tournament, was eliminated. World number two Federer is now an overwhelming favourite for a seventh crown in the absence of Rafael Nadal, who has pulled out injured.

Results and Schedule

Sunday, November 12

  1. Harrison/Venus defeat Kontinen/Peers 6-4, 7-6
  2. Roger Federer defeats Jack Sock 6-4, 7-6
  3. Herbert/Mahut defeat Rojer/Tecau 1-6, 7-6, 10-8
  4. Alexander Zverev defeats Marin Cilic 6-4, 3-6, 6-4

Monday, November 13

  1. Bryan/Bryan defeat Murray/Soares 7-5, 6-7, 10-8
  2. Grigor Dimitrov defeats Dominic Thiem 6-3, 5-7, 7-5
  3. Kubot/Melo defeats Dodig/Granollers 7-6, 6-4
  4. David Goffin defeats Rafael Nadal 7-6, 6-7, 6-4 (Nadal withdraws from tournament after the match)

Tuesday, November 14

  1. Kontinen/Peers vs Rojer/Tecau 7-6 (3), 7-6 (6)
  2. Marin Cilic vs Jack Sock 5-7 6-2 7-6 (7-4)
  3. Herbert/Mahut vs Harrison/Venus a (4) 7-6, 4-6, 5-10
  4. Roger Federer vs Alexander Zverev 7-6(6), 5-7, 6-1

Wednesday, November 15

  1. 12pm | Kubot/Melo vs Bryan/Bryan
  2. 2pm | Grigor Dimitrov vs David Goffin
  3. 6pm | Murray/Soares vs Dodig/Granollers
  4. 8pm | Pablo Carreno Busta vs Dominic Thiem

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