Alexander Zverev said he felt good on court after beating Alex de Minaur 6-4, 6-4 at the Shanghai Masters on Thursday, setting up a semi-final meeting with Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.
The top-ranked Zverev won 80% of his first serves and saved all five break points he faced. He secured the year-end No. 1 ranking earlier this week.
“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 reached the semi-finals 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 Frenchman has enjoyed 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.
Quarter-final line-up
On Friday, fast-rising Spanish youngster Rafael Jódar meets Casper Ruud in the quarter-finals. Fifth-seeded Russian Daniil Medvedev then plays Tommy Paul of the United States.