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Federer's hardfought 6-7(5) 7-6(8) 10-7 victory
over American John Isner put the Europeans just three points
from their victory target and Zverev got them there with a
6-7(3) 7-5 10-7 win over Kevin Anderson.
German Zverev needed to be at his sharpest to get past the South
African stalwart but won the final five points of the third set
tie-break to ensure Europe would keep the trophy they won at the
inaugural event in Prague last year.
"It was such a close match all around, not only this one but all
weekend, a few points here and there and it could have been
different," said Zverev.
"I'm just happy to get the win and we defended the title, that's
the most important thing."
It was fitting that 21-year-old Zverev punctuated the triumph
for Europe by conquering Anderson, one of the most formidable
players of the tournament.
Anderson had teamed up with American Jack Sock to knock off
Federer and Novak Djokovic in doubles on day one, then defeated
Djokovic in a singles contest on Saturday.
On Sunday, John McEnroe's Team World had taken their first lead
of the tournament at 8-7 after the opening doubles when Sock and
Isner slipped past Federer and Zverev 4-6 7-6(2) 11-9. Federer
needed to save three match points to disarm Isner's big serve
and take the day's opening singles contest, which like all of
Sunday's matches was worth three points.
The World Team needed to win one of the first two singles
matches to take the tournament down to the final singles clash
between Djokovic and Australian Nick Kyrgios but Zverev's
victory ensured it was not required.
Grigor Dimitrov, David Goffin and Kyle Edmund were the other
members of the triumphant team led by Swedish great Bjorn Borg.
"It’s been an unbelievable week," said Borg. "I’m very proud of
my team, we knew it’s going to be very difficult to beat Team
World with John as the captain. He has a great team, they’re
very professional."
(Writing by Jahmal Corner in Los Angeles, editing by Nick
Mulvenney)
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