France's world number 56 Arthur Gea pulled off a major upset in the Shanghai Masters third round, beating US Open finalist Ben Shelton 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (7/3). This marked the biggest win of Gea's career, with the 21-year-old French player set to face 13th seed Jakub Mensik of the Czech Republic next. Shelton, the world number four, struggled with fitness concerns and jet lag, admitting he "got outplayed" by Gea.
Shelton, who lost to Alexander Zverev in the US Open final, had played in the Davis Cup last month and skipped the Japan Open due to fitness issues. The American cited his body not being ready and jet lag as factors in his defeat. Despite a strong serve, Shelton was unable to capitalize on his opportunities, ultimately falling to Gea in a match that lasted over two hours.
Top seed Alexander Zverev progressed to the last 16 with a hard-fought 6-4, 6-7 (8/10), 6-3 win over Quentin Halys. Zverev, the world number two, praised Halys's aggressive play and powerful serve, but ultimately prevailed to close in on the number one ranking. He will face Kazakhstan's 19th seed Alexander Bublik next.
Zverev reflected on his strategic approach to tournament selection this year, which has yielded success, including two Grand Slam wins and a Wimbledon final appearance. The German player acknowledged that his scheduling strategy has paid off, allowing him to peak at key events. Zverev's focus now shifts to overtaking Jannik Sinner for the number one ranking, with Sinner currently holding the top spot but not competing in Shanghai due to injury.
Zverev's match against Halys was marked by frustration, as he barked at his corner during the contest. Despite this, he managed to secure the first set in 38 minutes and eventually broke Halys in the deciding set to seal victory. The win brings Zverev closer to achieving his goal of becoming world number one.
The Shanghai Masters has seen several upsets, with Shelton's early exit being the most notable. Other top players, including Carlos Alcaraz, are still in contention, with the Spaniard set to face Belgium's Zizou Bergs in the third round. The tournament continues to unfold, with several intriguing matchups on the schedule.
As the competition heats up, Zverev and other top contenders will need to maintain their form to succeed. With the number one ranking within reach, Zverev is poised to make a strong push for the top spot. The Shanghai Masters will continue to captivate tennis fans as the stakes grow higher.
Key points
- Alexander Zverev closes in on the number one ranking with a win over Quentin Halys.
- Arthur Gea pulls off a major upset, beating US Open finalist Ben Shelton.
- Jannik Sinner's injury opens the door for Zverev to become world number one.
