It was proper schooling, a lesson in grass court tennis for the young and ambitious Alexander Zverev. Federer played like a gazelle, a poem whose rhyme schemes were just out of the world and which left the audience wanting(read begging) for more.
The Stuttgart loss had rendered the Federer critics to come out in numbers, voicing their opinion about how Federer wouldn’t be able to replicate his Australian Open heroics, but his performance this week has shut every one down.
Federer romped to 6-1, 6-3 win over Zverev, thereby winning the Halle Open for a record 9th time.
The first set was like a breeze, a pleasant one for Federer, but one that rocked Zverev’s world. After that initial drubbing, Zverev just couldn’t manage to find his feet in the match, struggling to keep pace with Federer’s all court play. Federer was using his exquisite drop shots to perfection today, breaking Zverev’s ground stroke play and forcing him to come to the net more often that he would have wanted to.
Zverev had beaten Federer in the semi finals last year but he just couldn’t replicate his last year’s heroics, as Federer looked like a man on a mission.
Federer would be vying for a 9th Wimbledon Title next week.
Here is how Twitter reacted:
Federer played 6 tournaments in 2017
Won 4
Lost vs players outside the top 100 in 2— José Morgado (@josemorgado) June 25, 2017
– 9th title on Halle
– Oldest champion on Halle
– 92nd title
– 53 minutes win over most promising player of the next generation
WOW #Federer pic.twitter.com/4z4t43N7Pp— Break Point (@BreakPointBR) June 25, 2017
Don Bradman at the crease.
LeBron James on the court.
Usain Bolt on the track.
Michael Phelps in water.Roger Federer on grass. 😍 pic.twitter.com/Wwm9M5uYfh
— bet365 Australia (@bet365_aus) June 25, 2017
🏆 Australian Open
🏆 Indian Wells
🏆 Miami
🏆 HalleIn 2017, Roger Federer either loses early at an event or wins the whole thing.
— GameSetMatch 🎾 (@Tennis20MAD) June 25, 2017
Smooth as silk from Federer. Another Halle title. Roger & Rafa taking turns to dominate in 2017. @Wimbledon awaits in 8 days.
— Darren Cahill (@darren_cahill) June 25, 2017
June 25th 2017 and we just had masterclasses from Valentino Rossi & Roger Federer.
Gotta love sports.
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) June 25, 2017
Federer beats Zverev 6-1 6-3 in 53 minutes to win his ninth Halle title. Next up, an 8th Wimbledon and 19th Slam? Very possible.
— Piers Newbery (@piersnewbery) June 25, 2017
15 years, 9 titles, 1 man. Roger Federer. pic.twitter.com/C3naRjuCdE
— . (@mbthecool19) June 25, 2017
That's why Roger Federer should never be allowed to retire…
— jimmy soixante-dix (@hotdog6969) June 22, 2017
The future of men's tennis. You can also see Sascha Zverev. #Federer #Halle #GerryWeberOpen pic.twitter.com/wIoixxzE8i
— Kiran Gandhi (@Kirangandhi) June 25, 2017
Each time Federer wins a tournament, I get a little bit said for I don't know how many more titles I'll get to watch him win. 😔
— 🌸 (@DropVolleys) June 25, 2017
Roger Federer beats Alexander Zverev 6-1 6-3 in just 53 minutes to win the title in Halle. Federer will be seeded No 3 at Wimbledon.
— Stuart Fraser (@stu_fraser) June 25, 2017
https://twitter.com/Renestance/status/878946653025206272
Cute fan-idol moment between Zverev-Federer #LOL pic.twitter.com/JSqqjiZAgj
— Break Point (@BreakPointBR) June 25, 2017
