Shanghai Masters: Alexander Zverev celebrates changing into year-end No 1 with win over Alexander Bublik as Katie Boulter bows out of Wuhan Open | Tennis Information
Alexander Zverev celebrated changing into the year-end No 1 with a 7-6 (8-6) 4-6 7-6 (7-1) victory over Alexander Bublik to achieve the quarter-finals on the Shanghai Masters.
Zverev, who received the French Open and US Open this yr, by no means appeared 100 per cent comfy, and admitted his “ankle was appearing up” following his win.
The highest seed will tackle ninth seed Alex de Minaur subsequent after the Australian produced one among his greatest performances of the yr to beat Karen Khachanov in straight units 6-3 6-4 to advance.
Zverev stated: “I am beginning to really feel my physique increasingly more, however pleased to be by as a result of it was a tough match. He is been taking part in wonderful tennis this week. I believe crucial factor was that I received in the present day.”
With present world No 1 Jannik Sinner out for the remainder of 2026 on account of a knee damage and Carlos Alcaraz unable to overhaul Zverev this yr, the German was competing for the primary time since he clinched the year-end No 1 honours for the primary time on Monday.
“It is vitally, very particular. To complete the world No 1 is a unique type of feeling,” stated Zverev. “It is a completely different type of duty in your shoulders. I am trying ahead to that as a result of I am near being 30 years previous. It is a particular feeling to attain that.”
Zverev vs Bublik: Story of the Tape
Former British No 1 Tim Henman was stuffed with reward for Zverev on the Laver Cup in London final month.
“You have to earn the rating factors, and the best way he is performed this yr has been completely phenomenal,” he informed the ATP Tour.
“He was a service sport away from being in all 4 Slam finals. To have been working so arduous after which not with the ability to win a Slam, and profitable two this yr and reaching the Wimbledon remaining, it is phenomenal.
“Twelve months in the past, he had a troublesome time. He wasn’t taking part in nicely, and he did not play nicely within the Laver Cup. The transformation 12 months on is phenomenal.”
Henman added: “If you see the best way he is been stepping up within the huge matches, he hasn’t all the time performed his greatest, however he is discovered a solution to win. Then you definitely give your self an opportunity to play higher. The best way he is performed within the Slams speaks for itself.”
Boulter suffers early Wuhan exit
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Highlights from the WTA Wuhan match between Katie Boulter and Diana Shnaider
Katie Boulter was overwhelmed by eleventh seed Diana Shnaider within the first spherical of the Wuhan Open.
The British No 1 struggled to carry serve towards Russian Shnaider, who reached the semi-finals of the French Open, and fell to a 6-3 6-1 loss.
Boulter, who has been mourning the dying of her grandfather, started nicely and led by an early break however she was beneath fixed strain on serve and was unable to match the consistency of her opponent.
The 22-year-old left-hander, who beat Boulter within the 2024 Hong Kong remaining, is now 3-0 towards the Brit and has 30 tour-level wins this season.
Swiatek aiming to finish yr on a constructive observe as WTA Finals spot hangs in stability
Iga Swiatek is working out of time to say a spot at this yr’s WTA Finals
Iga Swiatek has performed at each version of the WTA Finals since 2021, however with the Pole working out of time to say a spot at this yr’s season-ending match she is aware of the significance of going deep at her few remaining occasions.
The six-time main champion has received just one match this yr on the Canadian Open in August and didn’t advance past the quarter-final stage in any respect 4 Grand Slams.
The 25-year-old, who received the WTA Finals in 2023, is tenth within the qualifying desk for the November 8-15 match at Indian Wells with solely 4 of the eight spots nonetheless up for grabs.
“Clearly I am conscious of the scenario and it could be nice to get into the Finals, for positive it is our objective,” Swiatek stated.
“It is the primary time I’ve confronted a scenario like that, to get into the finals.
“It is a problem, however I really feel prefer it’s a constructive one and I am actually motivated. There are nonetheless a number of tournaments forward.”
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