Zverev defies 'physical issues' to reach Shanghai Masters quarterfinals

SHANGHAI — Top-seeded Alexander Zverev toughed out two tiebreaks to beat Alexander Bublik 7-6(6), 4-6, 7-6 (1) at the Rolex Shanghai Masters on Tuesday, winning his first match since being guaranteed the year-end world No 1 ranking.

The 29-year-old German will play Alex de Minaur in the quarterfinals.

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

"Unfortunately, my ankle was acting up again," Zverev elaborated in an on-court interview, later adding that his decline started in the second set.

"I'm starting to feel my body more, but happy to be through."

Zverev, the current world No 2, was guaranteed the year-end No 1 spot after third-ranked Carlos Alcaraz lost to Zizou Bergs in Shanghai on Monday.

On Tuesday, Zverev called the honor "special", saying it was a different feeling compared 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.

But Zverev found himself under pressure when he was forced to save a set point before making it into a tiebreak.

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 somber-looking Zverev was unable to avoid tumbling into a deciding third.

The players soon found themselves staring down another tiebreak, but this time Zverev raced to a 6-1 lead and closed out the match with an ace.

Gea goes on

Earlier, 56th-ranked Arthur Gea put on a convincing show to beat Jakub Mensik 7-6 (4), 6-4 in their fourth-round encounter.

Mensik, ranked 15th, hit the ground trying to convert a crucial break point in the final minutes of the second set, but Gea got past his opponent with a cross-court backhand and won on his first match point.

"I'm enjoying how I'm playing. I feel I'm improving all the time," said Gea, the lowest-ranked player left in the draw.

Asked if he might recreate last year's "miracle" that saw Valentin Vacherot claim the title as world No 204, Gea said he would "see what happens".

"I don't think it's a miracle when you work hard every day, but I hope to do the same," he said.

Two days earlier, the 21-year-old Frenchman beat US Open finalist Ben Shelton, the third seed, 7-6 (5),7-6 (3) in the third round for the biggest victory of his career.

Gea next faces Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, who reached the quarterfinals after beating Hubert Hurkacz 1-6, 6-3, 7-6 (6) in a dramatic tiebreak.

Davidovich Fokina, ranked 26th, beat the 2023 Shanghai champion at the third time of asking, after blundering a smash and diving to the ground for a point in vain.

Guo's epic comeback

Chinese wildcard Guo Hanyu pulled off an almighty comeback to knock out 12th-seeded Romanian Sorana Cirstea 1-6, 7-6 (6), 7-5 in the first round of the Wuhan Open on Tuesday.

Guo, a doubles specialist ranked 240 in the world in singles, entered the match searching for just the third tour-level victory of her career.

The 28-year-old Zhengzhou native rallied back from a set and 4-0 down against Cirstea, saved three match points in the second-set tiebreak, and erased a 3-5 deficit in the decider to complete the upset in two hours and 41 minutes.

A tearful Guo later revealed to Chinese media that she was spurred on by her ailing father, who has been "seriously ill" and in hospital since July. "Knowing this actually made me feel quite helpless," said Guo.

"No matter what kind of effort you make, I'm struggling recently because mentally, psychologically I always feel something. I cannot just have a happy moment on the court and enjoy the game. I will always have a kind of sorrow, so that's why I made a lot of effort today."

Guo will next take on American world No 88 Katie Volynets for a place in the round of 16.