Alexander Zverev beat Alexander Bublik 7-6 (6), 4-6, 7-6 (1) to reach the quarterfinals of the Shanghai Masters on Tuesday, in his first match since securing the year-end No. 1 ranking.
Zverev saved three set points in the first-set tiebreaker and beat Bublik for only the second time in five career meetings.
Zverev reflects on his ankle
Zverev admitted that his ankle troubled him during the match. “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 led 20-15 in aces, but he also served eight double faults to Zverev’s one.
Zverev closing in on the top of the rankings
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 after the Italian ended his season due to right knee inflammation. Zverev won the French Open and the US Open this year, claiming his first two Grand Slam titles.
Next up
Zverev will next face Alex de Minaur, who has won their last two meetings, both at the Laver Cup.
Elsewhere, Arthur Gea defeated Jakub Mensik 7-6 (4), 6-4.