Alexander Zverev defeated Alexander Bublik, 7-6, 4-6, 7-6, in the fourth spherical of the Shanghai Masters.
The future world quantity one survived a actual scare against Bublik, requiring a third-set tiebreaker to seal his spot in the Shanghai Masters quarter-finals, where he will meet Australia’s Alex de Minaur.
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Zverev seemed in actual hassle early on in the third set, struggling bodily after being damaged by Bublik. During his post-match interview, Zverev provided an sincere fitness replace.
Alexander Zverev says he is feeling his physique ‘more and more’ as his ankle acts up in Shanghai
“My ankle was acting up again, unfortunately, which is kind of understandable. I have played a lot of tennis, which is a good sign; it means I have been playing well. But I am starting to feel my body more and more, but I’m happy to be through. It was a difficult match; he has been playing amazing tennis this week,” he said.
Zverev continued to remark on his ankle damage during his post-match press convention, where he was requested if he thought of withdrawing from the match to recuperate forward of the ATP Finals.
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“I started to feel my ankle during the last match. Then, actually, in the warm-up, it was good. In the beginning, in the first set, it was also good; I felt fine. But the longer the match went on, in the middle of the second set, it started to be a bit worse,” he said.
“But if you know, I’ve never retired in a tennis match in my life, except 2022 Roland Garros, where I really couldn’t walk. So I want to keep that going. I don’t want to retire with no reason. But, yeah. Again, I fought through, and I won; I’m happy about that.”
Zverev was also requested about the match itself, and whether he loved the ‘heavyweight’ matchup with Bublik, the world quantity 22.
“Yeah, I think, especially on a surface like that, with these kinds of balls, you know, both of us serve 220, 224, 225 sometimes. You don’t get a lot of rallies. You don’t get a lot of rhythm. But that’s also part of tennis, you know,” he said.
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“Back in the day, when I started playing tennis – I say back in the day because that was more than 10 years ago – a lot of surfaces were like that. So, I also enjoy these kinds of matches. I also enjoy these kinds of games. Again, today I’m happy that I won.”
Finally, Zverev commented on the world quantity one rating, which he is assured to take later this yr, with Jannik Sinner lacking the the rest of the season due to damage.
“Yeah, I think the emotions come when you actually see the number one next to your name. I think that will be, for sure, something special. For now, I’m number two in the world still, funny enough, and that, you know, I clinched the world number one for year-end is, of course, with Jannik being out, unfortunately. But, yeah, I think, once it happens, it will be a special moment for me,” he said.
Alexander Zverev’s route to the Shanghai Masters title
Defeating Bublik, Zverev turned the third man to e book his place in the Shanghai Masters quarter-finals, after De Minaur and Arthur Gea. He will play De Minaur in the quarters, a participant he has met 12 instances beforehand. Zverev leads their head-to-head 8-4, but lost their earlier two conferences at the Laver Cup.
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2026 Shanghai Masters fourth-round matches
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[1] Alexander Zverev defeated [19] Alexander Bublik, 7-6, 4-6, 7-6
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[9] Alex de Minaur defeated [26] Karen Khachanov, 6-3, 6-4
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Arthur Gea defeated [13] Jakub Mensik, 7-6, 6-4
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Hubert Hurkacz vs [25] Alejandro Davidovich Fokina
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Botic van de Zandschulp vs [12] Rafael Jodar
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[20] Casper Ruud vs [4] Felix Auger-Aliassime
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[5] Daniil Medvedev vs Stefanos Tsitsipas
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[15] Tommy Paul vs Zizou Bergs
2026 Shanghai Masters quarter-finals
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[1] Alexander Zverev vs [9] Alex de Minaur
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Arthur Gea vs Hubert Hurkacz or [25] Alejandro Davidovich Fokina
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Botic van de Zandschulp or [12] Rafael Jodar vs [20] Casper Ruud or [4] Felix Auger-Aliassime
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[5] Daniil Medvedev or Stefanos Tsitsipas vs [15] Tommy Paul or Zizou Bergs
If he returns to successful methods against De Minaur, Zverev will play Gea, Hubert Hurkacz or Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the semis. The German would be a heavy favorite in all three match-ups, although he may face a harder check in the ultimate.
There, Zverev could play prime gamers, including Daniil Medvedev, Rafael Jodar, and Felix Auger-Aliassime. He will need to be at his very best if he is to win his maiden Shanghai Masters title. Zverev will play De Minaur in the quarter-finals on Thursday, October 15. The 2026 Shanghai Masters ultimate will take place on Sunday, October 18.
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