Shanghai Masters 2026: Alexander Zverev defies ‘physical issues’ to reach quarterfinals

Zverev ground out a 7-6 (8/6), 4-6, 7-6 (7/1) win over Alexander Bublik.   | Photo Credit: AFP

Top-seeded Alexander Zverev toughed out two tie-breaks to beat Alexander Bublik 7-6 (8/6), 4-6, 7-6 (7/1) at the Shanghai Masters on Tuesday, winning his first match since being guaranteed the year-end world number one ranking.

“Really difficult match, I had some physical issues so, you know, I was maybe slower,” Zverev told the crowd.

“My ankle was acting up unfortunately again, I’m starting to feel my body more, but happy to be through,” Zverev elaborated in an on-court interview, without going into the specifics.

Zverev, the current world number two, was guaranteed the year-end number one spot after third-ranked Carlos Alcaraz lost to Zizou Bergs in Shanghai on Monday.

On Tuesday, Zverev called the honour “special”, saying it was a different feeling to winning tournaments, adding he was “looking forward” to the responsibility of owning that status. Neither player could create much trouble for his opponent in the first set as they traded aces to hold serve.

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But Zverev found himself under pressure when he was forced to save a set point before making it into a tie-break. He kept his composure as Bublik squandered three set points in a row, taking the first set with a commanding forehand at the net.

That momentum was cut short when Bublik broke the German’s serve in the fifth game of the second set. Despite a few clutch backhands a sombre-looking Zverev was unable to avoid tumbling into a deciding third.

The players soon found themselves staring down another tie-break, but this time Zverev raced to a 6-1 lead and closed out the match with an ace. The 29-year-old German will play Alex de Minaur in the quarterfinals.