Alexander Zverev beat Alexander Bublik 7-6 (6), 4-6, 7-6 (1) on Tuesday to reach the quarter-finals of the Shanghai Masters. It was his first match since he secured the year-end No. 1 ranking.
Zverev saved three set points in the first-set tie-break and beat 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 led 20-15 in aces but also hit 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, after the Italian ended his season due to right knee inflammation.
Grand Slam success
Zverev won the French Open and US 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.
Elsewhere, Arthur Gea defeated Jakub Mensik 7-6 (4), 6-4.