<p class="title">A few hours after old master Roger Federer reminded everyone of his enduring magic, Alexander Zverev, the man leading the next generation of men's tennis, dazzled on his ATP Finals debut.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The 20-year-old German, ranked three in the world, was hot and cold against Croatia's Marin Cilic but, when it mattered most, he produced his best tennis to win 6-4, 3-6, 6-4.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Zverev, the youngest qualifier for the season-ender for nine years, appeared to be fading after a dazzling start, but surged back in style to join Federer on top of Boris Becker Group.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"It is different walking on here than any other stadium. The crowd, the atmosphere is amazing," Zverev, who revelled on the big stage, told reporters after the late-night finish.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"There were a lot of nerves involved in my first match. Obviously I'm happy that's behind me. I'm happy that I won."</p>.<p class="bodytext">Zverev possesses huge power off the ground, yet it was his finesse at the net which earned him a break in the opening game, picking off a low drop volley that gave Cilic no chance.</p>.<p class="bodytext">His forehand wavered at times as Cilic cleverly tried to take the pace off the ball with some floaty slices, but Zverev closed out the first set with an ace.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Cilic, back in London since his traumatic Wimbledon final defeat by Federer when he broke down in tears as blisters wrecked his big day, then took control.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The big Croat upped his serving and forehand power to level the match and then led 3-1 in the third set.</p>.<p class="bodytext">At 3-2, he was 40-15 up on serve but Zverev, wound-up by an erroneous over-rule, forged back to break with an exquisite lob.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Cilic then dropped serve to love at 4-5 to lose for the sixth time in seven matches at the year-ender.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Zverev, bidding to become the first German to finish the year in the world's top three since Boris Becker in 1994, will face a mouthwatering clash with Federer on Tuesday.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Six-times champion Federer had earlier beaten Jack Sock.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"I think anyone beating Federer in this group has a good chance of (reaching the semi-finals)," Zverev, who beat the Swiss to win this year's Montreal title, his second Masters 1000 title of the year, said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"But he's the favourite definitely in all of the matches he plays. But I enjoy playing in front of big stages, big crowds."</p>
<p class="title">A few hours after old master Roger Federer reminded everyone of his enduring magic, Alexander Zverev, the man leading the next generation of men's tennis, dazzled on his ATP Finals debut.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The 20-year-old German, ranked three in the world, was hot and cold against Croatia's Marin Cilic but, when it mattered most, he produced his best tennis to win 6-4, 3-6, 6-4.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Zverev, the youngest qualifier for the season-ender for nine years, appeared to be fading after a dazzling start, but surged back in style to join Federer on top of Boris Becker Group.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"It is different walking on here than any other stadium. The crowd, the atmosphere is amazing," Zverev, who revelled on the big stage, told reporters after the late-night finish.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"There were a lot of nerves involved in my first match. Obviously I'm happy that's behind me. I'm happy that I won."</p>.<p class="bodytext">Zverev possesses huge power off the ground, yet it was his finesse at the net which earned him a break in the opening game, picking off a low drop volley that gave Cilic no chance.</p>.<p class="bodytext">His forehand wavered at times as Cilic cleverly tried to take the pace off the ball with some floaty slices, but Zverev closed out the first set with an ace.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Cilic, back in London since his traumatic Wimbledon final defeat by Federer when he broke down in tears as blisters wrecked his big day, then took control.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The big Croat upped his serving and forehand power to level the match and then led 3-1 in the third set.</p>.<p class="bodytext">At 3-2, he was 40-15 up on serve but Zverev, wound-up by an erroneous over-rule, forged back to break with an exquisite lob.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Cilic then dropped serve to love at 4-5 to lose for the sixth time in seven matches at the year-ender.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Zverev, bidding to become the first German to finish the year in the world's top three since Boris Becker in 1994, will face a mouthwatering clash with Federer on Tuesday.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Six-times champion Federer had earlier beaten Jack Sock.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"I think anyone beating Federer in this group has a good chance of (reaching the semi-finals)," Zverev, who beat the Swiss to win this year's Montreal title, his second Masters 1000 title of the year, said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"But he's the favourite definitely in all of the matches he plays. But I enjoy playing in front of big stages, big crowds."</p>