Arthur Fils clinched the Hamburg Open in controversial fashion as he won an explosive final against Alexander Zverev.

The Frenchman edged the world number four with a 6-3 3-6 7-6 (7) victory, but a fiery moment towards the end of the deciding set will go down as the game’s major talking point.

With the score locked at 5-5 in the third set and facing a break point, Fils attempted an underarm serve which was initially called in, but was later judged to have been out after review.

Although the 20-year-old regrouped to win both the point and eventually the game, the cheeky attempt managed to infuriate both Zverev and the home crowd, who resorted to booing.

After noticing the German’s clear disapproval at the shot choice, Fils then confronted his opponent at the changeover.

Things soon got heated as the French star appeared increasingly frustrated with Zverev, who reportedly accused his counterpart of having ‘zero respect’.

The situation was quickly diffused as umpire Timo Janzen left his chair to separate the two players, with the crowd continuing to jeer Fils as he was escorted away.

The hostile reception did little to impact his game however, with Fils ultimately winning the decisive tiebreak to secure the match, and the tournament, his first ever ATP 500 title.

And the bad-feeling continued afterwards when the pair shook hands, as Zverev avoided eye-contact with his rival and muttered to himself whilst shaking his head as he walked away.

After the marathon encounter, which lasted three hours and 31 minutes, Fils defended his actions during the controversial moment.

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Explaining in his post-match interview that he chose to serve underarm as a result of cramp, he said: “I’m really happy about how I played. I did everything for winning this match.

“I got cramps, when I was serving I was cramping. I was trying underarm serves because I cannot serve. The crowd took it badly but I don’t care, I’m winning and that’s it.”

And despite he and Zverev not seeing eye-to-eye at during the tense final, Fils paid tribute to his opponent: “Sascha [Zverev] is such a great champion. He’s such a great champion playing unbelievable tennis.

“I knew from the start that it wasn’t going to be easy.”

The two certainly appeared to have put their earlier dispute behind them by the time of the trophy presentation, as Zverev sprayed Fils with his tournament-winning champagne, whilst smiling.

He also reserved some praise for his adversary, as he said afterwards: “Arthur and your team, well done. Great week and you deserve your title. Enjoy the moment.”

Both players will now turn their attention to the upcoming Paris Olympics at Roland-Garros, where Zverev will look to defend his crown, having clinched gold at the last instalment in Tokyo.

Zverev will face stiff competition at the prestigious competition, with reigning Wimbledon and French Open champion Carlos Alcaraz bidding for glory, whilst tennis legends Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray will also be taking part in their final Games.

Meanwhile, Fils heads into his first ever Olympic campaign as the local hope, having grown up just miles away from the historic venue in the Parisian suburbs.