SAGA
Swiss legend Rog beaten, Zverev booed off... but then says sorry for ball-boy row Golden oldies Eubank & Benn set for money-spinner... 25 years on
ROGER FEDERER crashed out of the Nitto ATP Finals — then saw Alexander Zverev booed by The O2 crowd after a sorry end to their dramatic semi-final.
The German stopped play in the middle of a point when he was trailing in the second set tie-break after a ball boy dropped a ball. The world No.5 then thundered down an ace on the replay to bring the score to 4-4 — and went on to win 7-5 7-6 and reach the biggest final of his caree.
But furious Federer fans in the 17,500 arena vented their anger during Zverev’s post-match interview.
An emotional Zverev, 21, said: “I want to apologise for the situation in the tie-break. The ball boy dropped the ball. It’s in the rules that we have to replay the point.
“I apologised to Roger. He told me, ‘It’s OK’. But this is not how I wanted it to end. I am lost right now.”
Federer said: “These things happen. Booing, I never like it.” “Judgement Day” and 17.5 million Britons tuned in to watch. That night 42,000 fans crammed into Old Trafford in what was seen as one of the biggest fights in British boxing history.
Speaking earlier this year about the 1993 fight which ended in a draw, Eubank said: “We were well aware that bad blood creates big audiences.
“But what holds the audience is authenticity. Both of us were the real thing. The public knows it when they see it.”
Eubank Snr and Benn could potenmiddleweight tially fight as early as April next year. They both have children who have taken up professional boxing.
Chris Eubanks Jnr, 29, is a former IBO super- champ, while Conor Benn, 22, competes in the welterweight category. Confirming that an announcement is due imminently, a source close to Benn’s camp said: “This fight has been in the making for three-and-a-half years, on and off, on and off. “Nigel is off to Spain this week to do a Q&A and he will soon be making a big announcement.” It comes