Federer schools Zverev with sumptuous drop shot

In a battle of the old guard against the rising star, Roger Federer completely schooled Alexander Zverev to win the Halle Open on Sunday.

Federer clinched a record ninth Halle title by crushing last year's finalist 6-1 6-3 to lay down a marker in the lead-up to Wimbledon.

Playing in his 140th career final, Federer saved the only break point he faced and converted four of his eight opportunities to clinch his 92nd career title in 53 minutes.

The Swiss great had clearly done his homework against Zverev, moving the 20-year-old around the court with a sumptuous array of slice and drop shots.

If one shot summed up the match, it was the one in the video player above.

Up a set and 4-2, Federer left Zverev rooted to the spot with the phenomenal touch we've all come to know and love.

A perfect drop shot left Zverev with absolutely no answer as Federer went to 5-2 and eventually took the match.

"It's been a magnificent display of what you can do with a tennis racquet from Federer today," one commentator said.

"Everything has been absolutely fabulous."

Federer, who skipped the claycourt season after winning the Miami Open in early April, claimed his fourth title of the year, matching Rafael Nadal's tally, and he will be seeded ahead of his Spanish rival for Wimbledon, which starts in eight days.

Federer had already won the Australian Open before titles in Indian Wells and Miami in 2017.

with AAP