Internet explodes over 'breathless' Hopman Cup finale

The tennis world has been left gobsmacked after the Hopman Cup delivered one of the most extraordinary finishes to a major tournament.

The stage was set on Saturday night after Roger Federer had put Switzerland 1-0 up in the final by beating Germany’s Alexander Zverev in the first singles rubber.

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Angelique Kerber forced the tie into a deciding mixed doubles match when she dispatched Belinda Bencic in the second singles rubber.

With everything on the line in the deciding match, it was only fitting that it all came down to the final point.

And what a final point it was.

Federer was on the cusp of becoming the first person to win the event three times but the 20-time grand slam champion met fierce resistant from the German duo.

Kerber and Zverev had already busted the Swiss maestro’s serve when Federer had one final chance to win it on a sudden death point.

The 37-year-old’s serve was well returned by Zverev before all four players engaged in a compelling tit-for-tat battle for the trophy.

The momentum of the match-deciding rally seemed to change on several occasions before a well-placed Bencic volley left the Germans scrambling.

Zverev mustered everything he had left in the tank but his backhand return clattered into the net, handing Switzerland an epic triumph.

The “breathless” final point sent tennis fans into a spin on social media as Federer and Bencic celebrated wildly.

Federer’s three Hopman Cup titles is more than any other player.

The 20-time grand slam champion first won the Hopman Cup in 2001, when he teamed with Martina Hingis to beat the US.

The 37-year-old won his second crown alongside Bencic last year, beating Zverev and Kerber.

And it was the exact same script this year, with Federer winning his singles match in the final before helping clinch the deciding rubber in the mixed doubles.

“I’m very happy about these records, but I didn’t come here for that,” Federer said.

“What a thrill it was – not just the match point, but also the whole match and the whole week.

“It’s great fun. I’m happy, I’m proud to represent my country. It’s been a super pleasure teaming with Belinda.”

Zverev was gracious in defeat.

“We will remember it I think for the rest of our lives, especially how it ended,” Zverev said.

“We wanted to win. We were one shot away. I hope we can come back here many more times. We can hopefully maybe one day be holding that trophy.”

Saturday’s final took on extra significance given there’s a strong chance it will be the last ever Hopman Cup.

A new ATP World Team Cup tournament is set to be introduced in Australia next year, with the Hopman Cup almost certain to make way for the 24-team event.

Federer beat Frances Tiafoe, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Cameron Norrie, and Zverev in straight sets at the Hopman Cup, giving him an excellent preparation for his Australian Open title defence.

“I’m happy I’m feeling this good and playing as well as I am,” Federer said.

“It’s good to finish on a singles performance like this. I’m a bit surprised that the matches have gone as well as they have.”

With AAP