Zverev eases past Humbert, clinches Paris Masters

Alexander Zverev of Germany needed just 76 minutes to crush Ugo Humbert 6-2, 6-2 in the final of the Rolex Paris Masters, disappointing the Frenchman on his home turf.

The third seed, Zverev produced 15 winners and nine unforced errors, compared to 12 and 25, respectively, for Humbert.

Zverev also won 91 per cent of points on his first serve, 79 per cent on his second as he achieved his seventh ATP Masters 1000 title. He lost only five points on his serve and never faced a break.

"I knew I had to play like this to win today," said Zverev, who got his 23rd career win in an ATP Tour finals. "Ugo is an incredible player, but here in Paris, he plays even better than he usually does and I knew that. Once the crowd gets involved, it's going to be difficult. So, I had to take that away early, and I did, so I'm happy about that.

"It was not 100 per cent guaranteed that I would be back at this level after Roland Garros two years ago, when I basically broke everything possible in my ankle. So, to win this title here in Paris means the world to me, and I'm sure it means everything to those in my box, because they have done so much for me."

He also has won ATP Masters titles in Rome (twice), Madrid (twice), Cincinnati and Montreal.

Humbert was the first Frenchman since Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in 2011 to reach the Paris final at the Accor Arena in Paris. He did so by defeating Russian Karen Khachanov in a tough three-set semifinal on Saturday.

"It was a beautiful week, despite my defeat today," Humbert said. "My feeling is that I gave it my all. I have no regrets.

"He was stronger than me in every aspect of tennis. I couldn't recover from yesterday's match enough, but congrats to him."

Humbert will rise to No. 14 in the ATP rankings.