The Swiss Roger Federer, third in the ATP ranking, defeated the German Alexander Zverev on Saturday in 3-6, 6-4 and 6-2 in an exhibition match in Mexico City before 42,517 fans, world record for a tennis match.
In the bullring of the capital of the country, Federer, top winner of ‘Grand Slam’ tournaments with 20, had a hard time finding the rhythm in the hit at 2,240 meters above sea level and made several unforced errors They cost the first set.
Zverev, precise with the service, broke in the fifth game and did it again in the ninth to take the first sleeve 6-3.
Cheered by the people who chanted his name numerous times, Federer began to make a difference with his elegant setback and broke the German’s serve in the third game, but Zverev forced the Swiss to throw several balls out with which he regained service.
Before a delirious audience, the two tennis players forgot that they are the best of the circuit and rehearsed balls on the court and then continued the duel.
A cheerful Federer, with gestures to his followers, remained focused. Already with better rhythm imposed conditions with the service and put some balls on the lines, a sign that he had taken the pulse to play at height.
In the ninth game he went up to the net to get 15-40 ahead and head for a break with which he matched the game by winning the set 6-4.
With the effectiveness with the reverse that is known in the circuit, the Swiss broke in the third game of the third set and after 69 minutes for the first time took an advantage that he did not lose.
Zverev, one of the young tennis players candidate to reach the number one in the world, showed signs of discomfort in one shoulder and lost in the serve in the fifth game with what Roger went ahead 4-1.
Before continuing, Federer gave a racket to a boy in the front row and not happy with that he invited him to ball from the field to the stands.
They went ahead with the decided duel; Zverev kept the serve in the seventh game and Roger did the same in the eighth to win after an hour and a half of action.
“I took 23 years to return to this beautiful country, I hope that not so much time goes by for my next visit; I am happy for the emotions in such a short time by the Mexicans,” said an excited Federer who ended up with a hat placed next to him of Zverev, who described Mexico as a special place.
The Federer-Zverev party is part of the tour of both players for Latin America started last Tuesday with a victory of the Swiss in Chile 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, which followed on Wednesday with a victory of the German in Busnos Aires 7-6 (3), 7-6 (2).
A few hours ago the duel in Bogotá was suspended for security reasons.
The tour will conclude this Sunday in Quito.
