ATP Finals: Roger Federer beats Alexander Zverev to qualify for semi-finals

Roger Federer got an up-close-and-personal look at the future of tennis on Tuesday night but passed his apprentice’s thorough test at the ATP Finals in London.

Alex Zverev has already ascended to world number three – some 18 months faster than Federer did at the start of his trophy-laden career.

He is expected to climb higher with many touting the 20-year-old German as a future world number one but on this occasion he had to settle for second best despite a fine effort, losing 7-6 5-7 6-1 to the six-time champion, who duly became the first man into the semi-finals.

More to follow...