Alexander Zverev shocked 20-time Grand Slam winner Roger Federer with a 6-3, 6-7, 6-3 win in the Shanghai Masters quarter-final this afternoon.
The German could have had the tie wrapped up within an hour but he missed three match points during the second set and a further two in the tiebreak.
World No 6 Zverev eventually got over the line after a fiery third set which saw Federer lose his cool at the umpire on three occasions.
Zverev said: “Obviously I had three [match points] on my serve and two more in the tiebreak.
“I played great tennis and didn’t do unforced errors or anything like that.
“I knew if I keep playing the way I was playing in the first two sets I was going to have a chance in the third as well.”
Zverev now has four wins over Federer from their seven meetings on the ATP tour.
But the 22-year-old refused to believe that he has the advantage over the Swiss star.
“I don’t think Roger Federer’s game suits anybody to be honest,” Zverev added.
“He is the greatest player of all time. He will always find a way and make it tricky for you like he did today with me.
“You have always got to play your best tennis to have a chance.”
Zverev’s win over Federer was the first time the Next Gen star has beaten a top 10 player all year.
“For sure. I finally starting to play the way I should play,” Zverev admitted.
“I was playing really defensive earlier in the year and not with a lot of confidence.
“everybody knows I had a lot of things going on in my life and that can affect your on-court performance.
“I am starting to play some better tennis and i hope I can continue this way.”