ROME (AP) — Dumating na ang bagong tennis superstar.

Pinatunayan ni Alexander Zverev na siya ang bagong bituin sa sports nang gapiin si dating No.1 Novak Djokovic, 6-4, 6-3, nitong Linggo (Lunes sa Manila) para makopo ang Italian Open.

Ang 20-anyos na si Zverev ang pinakabatang player na nagwagi sa Masters 1000 event mula nang magawa ito ni Djokovic sa edad na 19-anyos mahigit isang dekada na ang nakalilipas.

“It’s nice to know that I can compete and play and win the biggest tournaments on tour against the biggest players on tour,” pahayag ni Zverev.

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Nadomina ni Zverev ang tempo ng laro at sinamantala ang tila pagal na kondisyon ni Djokovic, na nagmula sa magkasunod na thriller bago umusad sa final.

“He’s making his mark already,” sambit ni Djokovic.

“Today winning one of the biggest tournaments — absolutely deserved. Played great, served great. On the other hand, he didn’t get much from my side. I played very poor today. Just couldn’t find any rhythm.”

Nakapagtala si Djokovic ng 27 unforced error sa larong tumagal lamang ng isang oras at 21 minuto.

Matapos nito, ipinahayag ni Djokovic na nagkasundo na sila ni dating Grand Slam champion Andre Agassi para maging coach niya simula sa French Open.

“We are both excited to work together and see where it takes us,” pahayag ni Djokovic. “We don’t have any long-term commitment. It’s just us trying to get to know each other in Paris a little bit.”

Bunsod ng panalo, umusad si Zverev sa No.10 ranking sa world at ipinapalagay na isang contender sa Roland Garros.

Nauna rito, umusad sa world No. 1 si Elina Svitolina nang pabagsakin si Simona Halep 4-6, 7-5, 6-1 sa women’s final.

Nakamit ng 22-anyos Ukranian ang ikaapat na titulo sa Tour.

“Every day I’m just trying to work on my mental part, my physical, my tennis,” pahayag ni Svitolina. “Everything just came together and I’m very happy that it’s happened in such a big tournament.”