Alexander Zverev shocks Novak Djokovic to claim Italian Open title

Alexander Zverev has claimed the first ATP 1000 title of his career after beating Novak Djokovic in the Italian Open final on Sunday.

The 20-year-old German won 6-4 6-3 to become the youngest player to win an ATP 1000 tournament since Djokovic himself a decade ago, as well as the first player born in the 1990s to win a Masters title.

Zverev broke in the very first game and was never really challenged by the second-ranked Djokovic, who was also broken twice in the second set.

The Serb received a code violation for an audible obscenity in the seventh game of the second set, and later double-faulted to hand Zverev match point.

A long backhand by Djokovic, who will celebrate his 30th birthday on Monday, subsequently ensured victory for his highly-rated opponent.

The Italian Open title will move Zverev up to a career-high number 10 in the rankings on Monday and place him among the contenders for the French Open, which begins next Sunday.