Alexander Zverev beat Alexander Bublik 7-6 (6), 4-6, 7-6 (1) on Tuesday to reach the quarterfinals of the Shanghai Masters. It was his first match since securing the year-end No. 1 ranking.
Zverev saved three set points in the first-set tiebreaker. He has now beaten Bublik for only the second time in five career meetings.
“My ankle was acting up, unfortunately,” Zverev said. “It was kind of understandable because I have been playing a lot of tennis, which is kind of a good sign because I have been playing well. I am starting to feel my body more and more but I am happy to get through.”
Bublik hit 20 aces to Zverev’s 15, but he also served eight double faults to Zverev’s one.
Ranking Race
On Monday, third-ranked Carlos Alcaraz lost, which assured Zverev of finishing the year at the top of the rankings.
Zverev is currently No. 2, but he will overtake top-ranked Jannik Sinner next month. Sinner ended his season early because of right knee inflammation.
Zverev won the French Open and U.S. Open this year, claiming the first two Grand Slam titles of his career.
Next Up
Zverev will next face Alex de Minaur, who has won their last two meetings, both at the Laver Cup.
In another match, Arthur Gea defeated Jakub Mensik 7-6 (4), 6-4.