Alexander Zverev advanced to the next round of the Shanghai Masters on Friday, securing a 6:4, 7:6

Alexander Zverev advanced to the next round of the Shanghai Masters on Friday, securing a 6:4, 7:6 (7:4) victory over local favorite Wu Yibing. While the win confirms the 29-year-old German’s path to becoming the world number one in the ATP rankings, the match was followed by public criticism from his opponent regarding Zverev’s conduct on the court.

Wu Yibing questions Zverev’s on-court behavior

Following the match in the mixed zone, Wu Yibing initially praised Zverev’s technical performance, specifically noting, “The most difficult thing today was dealing with his serve, because he serves very hard and has an excellent ability to take the ball early.” However, the Chinese player shifted his focus to Zverev’s actions during the contest, alleging that the German intentionally disrupted the flow of the game.

Wu cited specific incidents, including falls, complaints regarding the lighting, and gestures toward the net cord. “There were several incidents in the match: falls, complaints about the lighting, and gestures toward the net edge. It wasn’t just about tennis,” Wu stated. He characterized these moments as tactical interruptions, adding, “He apparently did all of that to break my rhythm because I was putting him under pressure. Even if it didn’t work on me, I don’t like this behavior.” Wu further remarked that he prefers competing against Carlos Alcaraz, viewing the Spaniard as a “greater challenge.”

Zverev’s path to the world number one ranking

The victory in Shanghai carries significant weight for Zverev’s standing in the professional game. With Jannik Sinner sidelined for the remainder of the season due to injury, Zverev is positioned to ascend to the top of the ATP rankings by the end of the year. This milestone would make him the first German man to reach the world number one position since Boris Becker in 1991. Zverev, the Tokyo Olympic champion and winner of the French Open and US Open, noted prior to the tournament that he was pleased to be part of the discussion alongside top players like Carlos Alcaraz.

The path to the top is mathematically facilitated by the fact that Sinner cannot defend his points, while Zverev has fewer points to defend. Zverev entered the match with 9,720 points compared to Sinner’s 11,000. While he could potentially overtake the Italian as early as the ATP tournament in Vienna, scheduled for October 24 to November 1, his success in Shanghai ensures he will reach the pinnacle by year’s end.

Zverev struggles against Sinner despite strong serve

Zverev’s match against Wu saw him concede only three points on his own serve during the first set, though he faced pressure in the second when Wu was just two points away from leveling the match at 5:4, 15:30. The publication also notes that Zverev holds a 0-10 record against Jannik Sinner since the 2023 US Open, with a 0-9 mark against the Italian since 2025.

Despite the criticism, Zverev remains the primary contender for the top spot.