The fresh-faced 21-year-old from Hamburg, who is coached by his father, beat Argentina’s Guido Pella in the 2017 final.

One year on and his victim was Kohlschreiber, a triple champion in Munich, who had not lost a single set coming through the rounds.

But the 34-year-old had two break points in the sixth game of the first set only to lose the game and then get broken in the next game.

Zverev, the great hope of German tennis, then broke his older compatriot in the opening game of the second set and the top seed never looked back.

“It’s very special event for me so I am very happy that I was able defend my title,” he said after his seventh ATP title.

“I had to play my best tennis to have a chance, so that is what I did,” said Zverev, a semi-finalist at the Monte Carlo Masters.

“At the beginning I was struggling a little bit and then I found my rhythm and felt very good on court.”

“Losing the final is never easy or fun,” Kohlschreiber commented.

“He (Zverev) played better in this final. He played a really good match. It was a great week for me and for sure I will be coming back next year.”

The demanding City manager brought seven of his coaching staff onto the podium for his post-match press conference, a symbolic nod towards a close-knit group that has masterminded one of the most dominant league performances in history.

Despite surprisingly failing to defeat struggling visitors Huddersfield, City still have two games left in which they can set new Premier League records for the most wins, points and goals in a single campaign.

That target still inspires Guardiola, but so too does the prospect of trying to win the league title again next season.

“We cannot deny it would be nice to set records but it’s nicer when you win the Premier League,” said Guardiola.

“We spoke about that, these targets help to be focused, we tried and it’s so difficult,” he added.

“It looks easy when you have to win games, but next season will be tougher, they’ll all want to beat us and we have to be focused. we have to understand how difficult it will be next season.”

– ‘Feel loved’ –

Guardiola has only one season remaining on the three-year contract he signed at City in the summer of 2016.

The Catalan said before the Huddersfield game he was in no hurry to sign an extended deal but after leading City to their third title since 2012, Guardiola insisted he is happy in Manchester.

“I feel so comfortable here, we feel we are loved,” he said.

“It’s a club with not a long tradition but in six or seven years, three Premier Leagues is not bad and to win it the way we did it, that’s why we are so satisfied.”

Having been assured of the title three weeks earlier, after West Brom’s surprise win at Manchester United, City had to wait until the visit of David Wagner’s struggling team to be presented with the trophy.

City laid on pre-match festivities, including survivors from their 1968 championship winning team, before Huddersfield provided dogged opposition and dampened the celebrations somewhat.

Manchester City’s players lift Manchester City’s Spanish manager Pep Guardiola into the air as they celebrate their title.

– ‘Big admirer’ –

On the final whistle, and after unwanted pitch invaders had been removed, City were finally presented with the trophy along with the usual attendant pyrotechnics, confetti and smoke machines — all standard stuff but a far cry from the drama of their first Premier League title, won when Sergio Aguero scored with virtually the last kick of the season in 2012.

“Every team who wins the Premier League does it their way and that’s what we did too,” said Guardiola.

“When you win a final or Aguero in the last minutes it’s something special.

“Here we’ve had time to accept it and I was surprised how we maintained our focus.”

Impressive Huddersfield might even have escaped with a victory in the closing minutes when substitute Scott Malone raced through only to shoot directly at Emerson in the City goal.

The point is a huge boost for Huddersfield, who operate on the Premier League’s lowest budget, and their attempts to avoid relegation.

“I congratulated Pep for what he has done in England,” said Huddersfield manager Wagner. “Not only that he won the title but how he won it. It has been so impressive.

“I am a big admirer for his style of football. I love to watch his team. This is what I said to him before the game because I thought I may not get time after because the people will come on the pitch.”

Olivier Giroud boosted Chelsea’s bid to snatch a top four place as the France striker sealed a 1-0 win over Liverpool that brought the Champions League finalists back down to earth.

Giroud’s first-half header at Stamford Bridge lifted fifth-placed Chelsea to within two points of fourth-placed Tottenham in the race to qualify for next season’s Champions League.

“Usually when you play a must-win game it is not easy because it’s normal to be a bit nervous,” Blues boss Conte said.

“We had the will to win, to keep the hope alive that we can get a place in the Champions League.

“I don’t know if this will be enough at the end of the season but we have to try.”

In a dramatic conclusion to the top four battle, Chelsea, who are three points behind Liverpool, host struggling Huddersfield on Wednesday and Tottenham face Newcastle the same evening.

On the final day of the season next Sunday, Chelsea head to Newcastle and Tottenham entertain Leicester.

“It’s important to face this situation with a lot of pride and show we are still alive,” Conte said.

“Probably one month ago it was impossible to imagine we would arrive at the end of the season fighting for the Champions League.

“We are winning and our opponents are dropping points. We are putting pressure on the other teams.”

It was a frustrating return to domestic action for Liverpool after their Champions League semi-final success against Roma in midweek.

With only one win in their last five league games, third placed Liverpool have made their top four status an unnecessarily tense affair.

“I hate the result. The performance was good enough to get a good point, but we weren’t clinical enough,” Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said.

Klopp’s team should still be able to guarantee a Champions League berth if they beat Brighton at Anfield on Sunday.

– Revised plans –

Even if they don’t finish in the top four, Liverpool can return to Europe’s elite club competition by defeating Real Madrid in the Champions League final on May 26.

“When I woke up this morning I was hoping for a 3-0 win, so we didn’t have to care about the Brighton game and could start to prepare the final. Did I think it would happen? I’m not sure,” Klopp said.

“Chelsea has to win as well. We play at home in our last game, they play at Newcastle. That doesn’t sound like a holiday to me.

“Brighton is a very important game for us, but we’ve had a few of them in the past and they haven’t been too bad.”

Klopp also condemned Liverpool winger Mohamed Salah for a dive that earned him a booking.

“That’s not what I want to see and not what he wants to do,” he said.

Liverpool had made a bright start and Roberto Firmino tested Thibaut Courtois with a dipping half-volley.

Sadio Mane’s 25-yard drive forced a sprawling save from Courtois and from the resulting corner, the Chelsea keeper needed to be alert to stop Virgil van Dijk heading in from close range.

Mane was in a personal duel with Courtois, who kept out another powerful blast from the Senegal winger, then scrambled to his feet to deny him again from the rebound.

But despite their pressure, Liverpool were caught with a sucker punch in the 32nd minute as Giroud justified Conte’s decision to select him at the expense of the out of form Alvaro Morata.

Victor Moses teased Andrew Robertson as he worked space to swing over a cross and Giroud, stealing in front of the slow to react Dejan Lovren, glanced a fine header into the far corner of the net.

Giroud celebrated his fifth Chelsea goal since his January move from Arsenal by sprinting over to the bench and clambered up to hug team-mate David Luiz, who wasn’t involved in the matchday squad.

The 25-year-old Daniel hit the tennis headlines when toppling 12-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic at Indian Wells in March.

The thrill of taking that heavyweight scalp – his first win over a top 20 player in the ATP rankings – soon dissipated as he lost four of his next five matches.

But the world number 114 regained his form in Turkey this week, advancing for the first time to the semi-finals and maintaining his composure to take the title.

“I was feeling pretty nervous before the match,” Daniel, who was born in New York and trained in Spain said.

“I was nervous, but I told myself, ‘I’m sure he’s more nervous than me.’ So that helped. When I started not badly… I started to calm down a bit more.”

“I’m obviously pretty surprised that I suddenly won an ATP (title). But I guess things like this happen.”

His moment of glory was not without its anxious moments.

He let slip two match points at 5-3 on the Tunisian’s serve, then double faulted on his third match point but sealed the landmark success with a backhand winner down the line at the fourth opportunity to earn the title.

The win is expected to lift him up to number 82 in the latest ATP rankings published Monday.

On a day dominated by tributes to the Frenchman, both teams formed a guard of honour for Wenger, 68, before kick-off to a chorus of “there’s only one Arsene Wenger”.

All around a full house of 60,000 at the Emirates — in stark contrast to recent league games when fans have stayed away in protest at a poor season — fans sported red t-shirts emblazoned with “Merci Arsene” (Thank you Arsene).

“Thank you for having me for such a long time. I know that’s not easy but, above all, I am like you, I am an Arsenal fan,” Wenger said a post-match presentation on the Emirates turf.

“I would like to finish by one simple word: I will miss you. Thank you all for being such an important part of my life.”

Wenger won three Premier Leagues and a record seven FA Cups. His crowning glory coming in the 2003/04 season when Arsenal won the league without losing a single game.

He was presented with the special gold trophy given to the club for that achievement after the match by two Arsenal legends Bob Wilson and Pat Rice, who worked on Wenger’s coaching staff for many years.

That “Invincibles” season was his last as a Premier League winner, though, and fans became tired of Arsenal’s inability to compete for Premier League and Champions League titles.

“It means that even if they are not always happy, they still respected me and wanted to show at least I gave my total commitment to do well,” said Wenger of his ovation from the supporters.

– Fitting finale –

However, there was plenty for the supporters to shout about in a fitting finale for Wenger as Arsenal displayed the attractive brand of attacking football that characterised his most successful sides over the past two decades.

“I have a certain idea of how to play football. My ambition was always to win with style,” added Wenger.

“At a big club I feel you have that responsiblity and for the supporters to have a special experience when they come to the club.”

Defeat to Atletico Madrid in the Europa League semi-finals on Thursday means Arsenal missed out on Champions League qualification for the second consecutive season.

But they bounced back in style to secure the small consolation of ensuring they will finish sixth in the Premier League ahead of Burnley.

Wenger will wonder what might have been had Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang not been cup-tied for the latter stages of the Europa League as the Gabon striker took his tally to eight goals in 11 Premier League appearances since joining for a club record fee from Borussia Dortmund in January.

Aubameyang opened the scoring when he slid in to meet Alexandre Lacazette’s cross to get a party atmosphere started after just 14 minutes.

Burnley have qualified for Europe for the first time in 51 years thanks to finishing seventh.

But it seemed incredible that only three points separated the sides before kick-off as Arsenal cut through the Clarets at will going forward.

Lacazette stroked home Arsenal’s second just before half-time before Jack Wilshere teed up Sead Kolasinac for a third nine minutes after the break.

Aubameyang turned provider for Alex Iwobi to smash home the fourth after being given a huge amount of time inside the Burnley box to pick his spot.

And Aubameyang finished as he started by steering home Hector Bellerin’s cross to round off a five-star performance by the Gunners to send Wenger off in style.

Wenger could even afford the luxury of also handing club captain Per Mertesacker an outing from the bench for the closing stages in his final home game before retiring at the end of the season.

The 27-year-old assistant teacher, who spends most of her weekends competing, clocked eight minutes faster than runner-up Siriphat Bootjen, who crossed the finish line in 1:44.48 hours.

“I’m happy that I won again but I just wish I’d run it faster. There are so many slopes,” said Wipawee, who works at the Santi Suksa School in Chiang Mai. She normally runs the half-marathon in one hour and 32 minutes.

Wipawee has so far won five tournaments this year: the others were the 50K in Chiang Mai, 16K in Phuket, 10K mini marathon in Chiang Mai and the 10K Night Run in Chiang Mai.

The former National Games athlete from Songkhla province also said running yielded benefits to her work life at school.

“As a runner, you have to be well disciplined. So at school I have become more disciplined and more responsible for my work,” added Wipawee.

In the men’s event, Nittaya Temsang left the field in his wake, winning in 1:23.38 hours, almost seven minutes ahead of runner-up Amata Kanpai and third-placed Sukrit Kaewyoun.

Organisers also gave 50 pairs of trainers to local school students as part of the Shoes for Kids campaign which raises donations through http://www.teelakow.com to provide trainers for needy children.

The event was the second of the seven-race Bangkok Airway series.

The next stop is the Samui Half Marathon due on June 10 in Surat Thani province.

News of his operation was made public by his old club, with a United statement cautiously optimistic about the prospects for the 76-year-old, the most successful manager in British football history.

“Sir Alex Ferguson has undergone emergency surgery today for a brain haemorrhage,” the statement said.

“The procedure has gone very well but he needs a period of intensive care to optimise his recovery. His family request privacy in this matter.

“We will keep Sir Alex and his loved ones in our thoughts during this time, and we are united in our wish to see him make a comfortable, speedy recovery.”

An ambulance was called to the Scot’s home in Cheadle, near Manchester, in northwest England at 9:00 am (0800 GMT) on Saturday, reported the Daily Mail.

Concerns for Ferguson’s health started to mount when it was announced his son, Darren, the manager of English third-tier club Doncaster, would miss his side’s match against Wigan because of “family reasons”.

– ‘Keep fighting Boss’ –

“It is tragic. I am going to find out how he is as soon as I possibly can,” said Everton manager Sam Allardyce, a longstanding friend of Ferguson’s, after his side’s 1-1 Premier League draw at home to Southampton.

“Obviously I knew it was extremely serious when I knew his son Darren didn’t attend his own game,” the former England boss added. “I hope he has a full recovery.”

Southampton manager Mark Hughes, a United striker during Ferguson’s early years at Old Trafford, said: “I only just got a little whisper earlier on. I was hoping it wasn’t true. I wish him all the best.”

David Beckham was among several United players past and present who took to social media to offer their support to “the boss”.

On Instagram, with a picture of him as a youngster alongside Ferguson, Beckham wrote: “Keep fighting Boss.. Sending prayers and love to Cathy and the whole family x @manchesterunited.”

Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, signed by Ferguson as an 18-year-old in 2003, tweeted a picture with his former mentor. “My thoughts and prayers are with you, my dear friend. Be strong, Boss!” he said.

Former United and England captain Wayne Rooney said on Twitter: “Get well soon Boss. Thoughts with all the family at this sad time. #AlexFerguson.”

There was a heartfelt message from former United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar and his wife Annemarie, who herself recovered from a brain haemorrhage in 2009.

“Devastated about the news about Sir Alex and knowing all too well about the situation ourselves. Stay strong and hope together with everyone you recover. Edwin & Annemarie,” said the couple’s Twitter post.

Another former United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel tweeted simply: “Please. Be strong. Win this one” interspersed with prayer emojis.

Midfielder Michael Carrick said he was “absolutely devastated”, adding, “All my thoughts and prayers are with him and his family. Be strong Boss.”

Vincent Kompany, the captain of new English champions Manchester City, summed up hundreds of messages from rival clubs and from right across the football spectrum when he said: “Hang in there Sir Alex. Thoughts are with the family and close ones.”

Away from football, Nicola Sturgeon, the First Minister of Scotland, tweeted: “My thoughts are with Alex Ferguson and his family – wishing him a full and speedy recovery.”

Ferguson retired five years ago having won a 38 major trophies in just over 26 years in charge at Old Trafford, including 13 Premier League titles and the UEFA Champions League twice.

He was at United’s home ground a week ago to present a commemorative vase to old rival Arsene Wenger, who is stepping down as Arsenal manager.

– ‘Watershed moment’ –

Ferguson had planned to retire at the end of the 2001/02 campaign but changed his mind after speaking to his wife Cathy and their family.

But the death of his wife’s twin sister in 2012 provided Ferguson with what he later wrote was a “watershed moment.

“I felt that, after all those years during which Cathy had put me first, it was time that I took care of her needs,” he explained.

Prior to arriving at Old Trafford, Ferguson, enjoyed success as manager of Aberdeen, interrupting Glasgow giants Celtic and Rangers’ Old Firm dominance of Scottish football by winning three league championships, four domestic Cups and the 1983 European Cup Winners’ Cup in charge of the Dons.

It was a similar story at Old Trafford, where his United teams ended Liverpool’s dominance of the domestic game, with the highlight being the 1999 treble of Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup.

Albion knew only three points at the Hawthorns would be enough to stave off relegation for a few hours at least.

With Darren Moore’s side just minutes away from dropping into the Championship, Livermore sparked wild celebrations when the midfielder prodded home after a goal-mouth scramble two minutes into stoppage time.

Incredibly, Albion were on the brink of relegation again just hours later when fellow strugglers Southampton took a second-half lead through Nathan Redmond at Everton.

But, with just seconds left in stoppage time, Tom Davies’s deflected strike rescued a 1-1 draw for Everton and saved West Brom from being relegated for now.

West Brom, owned by Chinese entrepreneur  are two points from safety with one game left as they fight to extend their eight-season stay in the Premier League.

Albion’s last game of the season is at Palace next Sunday, but they will go down if there is a winner between third-bottom Swansea and fourth-bottom Southampton at the Liberty Stadium on Tuesday.

A draw would take the relegation battle down to the last weekend.

“We have been on this road for four, nearly five weeks. We wanted to get some pride and commitment back,” Moore said.

“Through hard work and commitment results are coming.”

Since replacing the sacked Alan Pardew in early April, Moore has masterminded a significant improvement in Albion’s form.

Wins over Manchester United, Newcastle and Tottenham, as well as a draw against Champions League finalists Liverpool, have kept them dreaming of an epic escape act.

Southampton, who had Japanese defender Maya Yoshida sent off in the 86th minute, were crushed by Davies’s late intervention.

But Mark Hughes’ side do climb out of the relegation zone, sitting above Swansea on goal difference heading into that crunch clash in midweek.

“We have a massive game coming up and that will probably determine who goes up and who goes down,” Hughes said.

“We will be ready. Swansea will know they are in a game.”

Huddersfield, two points above the bottom three, are also in trouble as they prepare to face champions Manchester City on Sunday.

Fourth-placed Tottenham’s defeat leaves them five points ahead of fifth-placed Chelsea, who can close the gap in the race to qualify for the Champions League if they beat Liverpool on Sunday.

At the bet365 Stadium, Stoke had hope of staying up when Xherdan Shaqiri scored with a 43rd-minute free-kick.

But James McArthur equalised in the 68th minute and Patrick van Aanholt slotted in Palace’s winner with four minutes left.

Paul Lambert’s side are bottom, three points from safety, with only one game remaining.

Stoke have spent 10 seasons in the Premier League, but a run of 13 games without a victory ensured that streak will come to an end.

Stoke goalkeeper Jack Butland was in tears at the final whistle and City fans were just as emotional as the realisation of their team’s relegation sank in.

– ‘Tough afternoon’ –

Hundreds left in the closing minutes before those that remained sang “City til I die” in a defiant rallying cry.

The blame for Stoke’s predicament lies jointly with Lambert and Mark Hughes, who was sacked in January after a wretched run culminated with an embarrassing FA Cup third round defeat against fourth-tier Coventry.

Hughes could suffer the indignity of having a role in two relegations in one season as his Southampton side are in trouble themselves.

“My emotions are up and down. It is a tough afternoon. I am feeling for everyone connected with the club,” Lambert said.

“When teams don’t get results you can be sleep-walking into positions you don’t want to be in.”

Swansea missed a chance to boost their survival bid as Bournemouth won 1-0 at Dean Court.

Ryan Fraser blasted home with a quick free-kick from the edge of the area in the 37th minute.

Carlos Carvalhal’s side have gone seven games without a win.

West Ham won 2-0 at Leicester, while Watford beat Newcastle 2-1.

The pictures showed the world’s most expensive player grimacing as he lifted weights and working out on leg-strengthening equipment. One photo showed him walking barefoot in a sand-covered area used by players returning from injury.

Neymar flew back into France on Friday to rejoin the club after an operation on a broken foot bone in March.

He has made clear that his main target is to be fit to play for Brazil in the World Cup in Russia, which kicks off in 40 days.

The chances of Neymar adding to his 30 appearances this season for PSG, who paid 222 million euros ($263 million) for him last summer, seem slim.

Neymar is expected to watch from the stands at the Stade de France on Tuesday when PSG take on third-division Les Herbiers in the French Cup final. He should then take part in the league title celebration next Saturday when PSG entertain Rennes at the Parc des Princes.

After that, PSG have just one match, away to Caen on May 19.

Brazil team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar, who operated on Neymar, told Folha, a Sao Paulo newspaper, that the goal is to have the player “100 percent fit for the start of training camp” in Brazil on May 21.

Meanwhile, rumours over Neymar’s future continue to swirl in Spain with sports daily Marca saying on Sunday that the striker wants “to play with CR7”, that is Cristiano Ronaldo at Real Madrid.