Zverev tops Federer in ATP semifinals; Djokovic dominates

Alexander Zverev denied Roger Federer a shot at a 100th career title by beating the Swiss great, 7-5, 7-6 (5), at the ATP Finals on Saturday to advance to a championship match against Novak Djokovic.

Federer was leading the second-set tiebreaker, 4-3, and in the ascendancy of a rally on a Zverev service point when a ball boy at the back of the court dropped a ball. Zverev immediately signaled for the point to be stopped and the umpire ordered the point to be replayed.

Z vere vs erv ed an ace before going onto closeout the match moments later.

Zverev is the youngest player at 21 to reach the final since 2009 and the first from Germany since 1996. He will face five-time champion Djokovic, who defeated Kevin Anderson, 6-2, 6-2, to extend his semifinal win-loss record at the tournament to 7-1.

Federer, 37, was seeking a record-extending seventh title, but was unable to cope with the pressure created by Zverev’s power and precision at the O2 Arena.

Despite having reached only one Grand Slam quarterfinal, Zverev is the only active player outside the Big Four of Djokovic, Federer, Rafael Nada land Andy Murray to have won three Masters titles. But victory at the tour’s flagship event would exceed those achievements.

Djoko vic maintained his record of having not lost a set or service game at the tournament as he thrashed debutant Anderson to give himself the chance to join Federer on six titles.

Golf

REED, WILLETT TIED ENTERING WORLD TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP >> Patrick Reed and Danny Willett each put on a green jacket the last time they won a tournament. Now they have their eyes set on another significant prize.

Reed, the reigning Masters champion, and Willett, who won that event two years earlier, closed Saturday at 14-under 202 and will enter the final day of the European Tour’s season-ending DP World Tour Championship as co-leaders.

Willett, one stroke off the lead after the second round, shot a 4-under 68, and Reed carded a 5-under 67 to move one stroke ahead of Jordan Smith.

Three-time European No. 1 Rory McIlroy, who is attempting to win the tournament a third time carded a 71 to fall into a tie for 13th with a 207.

Boxing

MAYWEATHER TO FIGHT JAPANESE KICKBOXER ON NEW YEAR’S EVE >> Floyd Mayweather’s match against a Japanese kickboxer is once again on for New Year’s Eve as an exhibition fight with knockouts allowed but likely no decision granted on a win or a loss.

Nobuyuki Sakakibara, the head of Rizin Fighting Federation, which is putting on the threeround exhibition, said the basic agreement had not changed from the initial contract, which did not allow kicking.

The event, to be held at Saitama Super Arena in suburban Tokyo on Dec. 31, was initially announced earlier this month.