ROME — Alexander "Sascha" Zverev became the youngest Masters Series finalist in a decade when he beat American veteran John Isner 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-1 at the Italian Open Saturday.
Zverev, who turned 20 a month ago, was the youngest on the ATP Tour since Novak Djokovic won Miami in 2007 at the age of 19.
Zverev could meet Djokovic in the Rome final if the four-time champion gets past Dominic Thiem in the late semifinal.
"If he does win, it would be a very cool story for tennis," Isner said. "He was gifted with a lot of ability. But he doesn't let it go to waste at all. I have seen it in the offseason, as well. That's what it takes to be incredibly good and one of the greats."
Zverev believes his time will come when Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray, and Djokovic retire.
"Unfortunately for the spectators and for our sport and for everybody, those guys cannot play forever," Zverev said. "That's why the ATP is doing a good job promoting us young guys with the Next Gen Finals and a lot of different things"
With tennis greats Rod Laver and Manolo Santana looking on at the Foro Italico, Zverev showed off an all-court game that has prompted many experts to predict he'll reach No. 1 some day.
Zverev won most of the longer rallies, displayed a well-disguised drop shot, made precise volleys and even served bigger than Isner, who is usually one of the best servers on tour.
"He's a tough guy to ace," Isner said. "He stands really far back. He has extremely long arms and he's tall and he anticipates well."
Earlier, Djokovic picked up right where he left off in a rain-delayed quarterfinal against former US Open champion Juan Martin del Potro, closing out a 6-1, 6-4 victory.
Djokovic was leading 6-1, 1-2 before heavy rain on Friday forced a postponement. In clearer conditions Saturday, Djokovic held serve and then got the decisive break in the next game with a drop-shot winner.
Djokovic waved his arms to get the crowd behind him as the set wore on, dictating play from near the baseline while del Potro stood farther back retrieving balls in the corners.
On the women's side, fourth-ranked Simona Halep advanced to the final and extended her clay-court winning streak to 10 matches by beating Kiki Bertens of the Netherlands 7-5, 6-1.
Halep will face 11th-ranked Elina Svitolina of Ukraine for the trophy after French Open champion Garbine Muguruza retired due to a neck injury after only 20 minutes. Svitolina led 4-1.
Svitolina won her tour-best 30th match of the year.
Muguruza flashed some impressive form ahead of her French Open title defense with a 6-2, 3-6, 6-2 win over Venus Williams to reach the semifinals Friday.
Svitolina upset Czech second seed Karolina Pliskova 6-2 7-6(9) in the quarterfinals. — AP
