Zverev beats Bublik to reach Shanghai quarter-finals despite ankle issue

Alexander Zverev beat Alexander Bublik in Shanghai on Tuesday to reach the Masters quarter-finals, winning 7-6, 4-6, 7-6.

The match went to a deciding-set tie-break, where Zverev won 7-1.

Zverev said his ankle was acting up as the match went on, but he fought through and was happy to advance.

He said he had felt the ankle during his previous match, though it was better in the warm-up and early in this one.

The win came after Zverev secured the year-end No.

1 ranking, which he will take over next month when current No.

1 Jannik Sinner is out for the rest of the season with right knee inflammation.

Zverev’s next opponent is Australia’s Alex de Minaur, who beat Karen Khachanov; de Minaur has won their last two meetings, both at the Laver Cup.

Zverev said he has never retired from a match except when he could not walk at the 2022 French Open.