German star takes Munich title

pulse

May 7, 2017 5:25 PM

The 20-year-old third seed needed just 72 minutes to seal a 6-4, 6-3 victory over Argentinian qualifier Guido Pella.

German Alexander Zverev celebrates after he won his final match against Argentinian Guido Pella at the ATP tennis BMW Open in Munich, southern Germany, on May 7, 2017

Germanys rising star Alexander Zverev earned his third ATP title, his first on home soil, with a straight-sets win in the final of the Munich tournament on Sunday.

The 20-year-old third seed needed just 72 minutes to seal a 6-4, 6-3 victory over Argentinian qualifier Guido Pella, ranked 158th in the world.

Hamburg-born Zverev converted his first match point to take the title after also winning in St Petersburg last September and Montpellier in February.

He dedicated his triumph in Munich to his father, also called Alexander.

"All these titles have a great meaning for him as well, without him none of this would be possible," said an emotional Zverev.

Rain in Munich delayed the start by nearly three hours and Zverev made a slow start, dropping serve in the first game, but rallied by claiming the last three games of the first set.

He walks away with a brand new sports car and winner's cheque of 85,945 euros ($94,518) -- plus a luxury pair of Bavarian lederhosen.

The victory is expected to bump Zverev up to a career high of 17th in the ATP rankings on Monday.

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