“Very special” – Ailing Zverev wins thrilling round of 16

Alexander Zverev won the round of 16 at the Masters 1000 tournament in Shanghai after a nervous thriller. Despite ankle problems, the 29-year-old won a thrilling match against Alexander Bublik from Kazakhstan 7:6 (8:6), 4:6, 7:6 (7:1).

Zverev will definitely take over number one in the tennis world rankings in the coming weeks. If he wins in Shanghai, a place in the semi-finals in Vienna in two weeks would be enough. “It's very, very special,” said Zverev about his status as future number one after his success over Bublik. “It’s a special feeling to achieve this.”

Jannik Sinner is currently still leading the world rankings. However, the South Tyrolean has announced his end to the season early due to ongoing knee problems and will not be able to defend his good points tally from last year. Boris Becker was so far the only German to be at the top of the world tennis rankings among men. He even led them twice in 1991 - but only for twelve weeks in total.

A close match developed against Bublik, in which both players hardly allowed anything on their own serves. Zverev secured the first set 7:6 despite temporary problems in the tiebreak. The Hamburg player fended off several set points and showed strong nerves in the decisive phase.

In the second round, Bublik increased the pressure, increasingly found solutions in longer rallies and took advantage of a weak phase for the German to get the first break of the game.

Even in the decisive round, Zverev initially fell behind. During the set, Zverev stabilized again and played his serves confidently. The decision was made in the tiebreak, in which the Olympic champion clearly had the upper hand 7:1.

But Zverev again had problems with his ankle. He suffered an ankle injury in his opening game in Shanghai against Frenchman Quentin Halys. In the quarterfinals, Zverev will face Australian Alex de Minaur.