Zverev stuns Djokovic in Rome

Rome, May 21 

German youngster Alexander Zverev pulled off the biggest win of his career when he beat world No. 2 Novak Djokovic 6-4 6-3 to win the Italian Open.

Zverev, 20, was on top from the moment that he broke Djokovic in the very first game as he became the youngest winner of a Masters 1000 tournament since the Serb himself in Miami in 2007. He controlled play from the back of the court with his fluid two-handed backhand and heavy forehand.

Zverev broke again in the third game of the second set and clinched the match with another break in the ninth game. Djokovic, who has wrestled with injuries and lack of confidence since winning the French Open last June, had looked his old dominant self when he beat Dominic Thiem in Saturday’s semifinal but was unable to recapture that form on Sunday.

Svitolina downs Halep

Elina Svitolina won the women’s singles final to claim her fourth title of the season after Simona Halep sunk without trace in the final set. Svitolina’s 4-6 7-5 6-1 victory meant she added the Rome crown to the ones she took in Taipei, Dubai and Istanbul.

Halep took the first set and, although she rolled her right ankle at one point, the Romanian appeared to be coasting towards a win when she broke in the opening game of the second. — Agencies