Alexander Zverev said he felt good on court after beating Alex de Minaur 6-4, 6-4 at the Shanghai Masters on Thursday, booking a semifinal meeting with Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.
Zverev won 80% of his first serves and saved all five break points he faced. The top-ranked player, who secured the year-end No. 1 ranking earlier this week, said both players played at a high level.
“I felt both of us were playing really, really well. I was a lot of times outhitting Alex, which is difficult to do from the baseline because he is so fast and he loves this kind of court speed here,” Zverev said.
“I felt good and I’m happy with the step up from the last couple of matches.”
Davidovich Fokina advances after Gea retires
Davidovich Fokina earned his semifinal spot when Arthur Gea retired while trailing 4-1 in the first set, after receiving on-court treatment.
“Sad to end the tournament like this, but I’ll be back,” Gea wrote on Instagram. The French player has had a breakout 2026, rising from 244th in the world to 56th. He won his first tour-level title at the Los Cabos Open in August.
Zverev holds a 6-1 career head-to-head record against Davidovich Fokina.
Quarterfinals set for Friday
On Friday, fast-rising Spanish youngster Rafael Jódar faces Casper Ruud in a quarterfinal. Fifth-seeded Russian Daniil Medvedev then plays Tommy Paul of the United States.