Florian Mayer brought compatriot Alexander Zverev back down to earth by ending his long wait for a title at the Gerry Weber Open on Sunday.

World number 192 Mayer had not claimed an ATP singles tournament victory since back in 2011 before seeing off fellow-German Zverev 6-2 5-7 6-3 in Halle in a triumph for experience over youth.

Outsider Mayer was reduced to tears after becoming the lowest-ranked champion in the grass-court event on home soil, with teenager Zverev emotional for very different reasons after missing out on a maiden title.

Zverev dethroned the legendary eight-time Gerry Weber Open champion Roger Federer at the semi-final stage on Saturday, but was unable to become the youngest ATP Tour champion for eight years.

The 19-year-old, playing his second ATP World Tour final of the year, racked up six double faults and was broken four times to suffer defeat in only the second all-German final in Halle.

A fired up Mayer beat the in-form Dominic Thiem to book his place in the final and took charge of the showdown with the Next Generation star by reeling off four games in a row to take the opening set.

Zverev hit back in the second, taking a 2-0 lead and saving two match points when the unseeded 32-year-old Mayer had the chance to serve for the tournament before setting up a decider.

Mayer put that setback behind him, claiming the only break of the final set to lead 4-2 and then saving a break point prior to this time serving out the match, sinking to his knees after Zverev put a forehand long.