Evergreen Roger Federer boosted his hopes of becoming the oldest man to win Wimbledon in the modern era by triumphing at the Gerry Weber Open in Halle, Germany, for a ninth time on Sunday.
Switzerland's Roger Federer, right, with the victor trophy and Germany's Alexander Zverev, left, with the trophy for the second place, frame model Eva Herzigova, after the final match of the Gerry Weber Open tennis tournament in Halle, Germany, Sunday, June 25, 2017.
The top seed suffered a shock loss to veteran German Tommy Haas in his first competitive match on grass this season in Stuttgart, but has built momentum in a tournament that has given him such fond memories over the years.
His hard fought three set win means Zverev now goes on to face Roger Federer in a rematch of last year's semi-final, which the German won.
Frenchman Richard Gasquet also reached the last four, edging past Dutchman Robin Haase, who had eliminated second seed Dominic Thiem in the previous round, 6-1 3-6 6-1 and looked to be hitting top grasscourt form at just the right time.
"I played unbelievably well". Federer has won seven titles, Novak Djokovic three, Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal two each.
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"I was doubting myself a little bit, I must admit, because losing [in the opening] round for the first time in 15 years on grass was always going to shake me a little bit and it did", Federer said. "I felt good and never let up", said the Swiss, who dropped just nine points on his serve. I think I did it very well.
In doing so, he became the first player to beat both Zverev brothers at the same event, having defeated older sibling Mischa in the round of 16. I don't know him that well yet so it's a match where I'll most likely focus on my own game.
"It is unbelievable how he plays with 35 years".
"I'll take a couple of days off and then start practising there again, see how conditions are over there, wait for the draw to come out, see what day I'm playing and then take it day by day, really", he added.
Zverev has a very bright future in the game, and has a victory over Federer at this very venue.
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