Alexander Zverev progresses in Shanghai despite health problems

In the round of 16, the world number three will now face David Goffin (Belgium). For Zverev, who had complained of fever and cough during the Laver Cup in Berlin and had taken a week-long break due to pneumonia before the tournament, it was hard work against Griekspoor from the start.

Towards the end of the first set, Zverev loudly argued with chair referee Mohamed Lahyani, despite a correct decision by the Swedish referee. “You decide the whole match. Why have we been investing so much for nine months?” complained Zverev, who then threw his racket to the displeasure of the audience, only slowly calmed down and narrowly avoided a point penalty.

During his first win in the tournament against the Italian Mattia Bellucci (6:4, 6:2), Zverev had already struggled with the referee’s decisions several times. But against Griekspoor he finally caught himself, secured the first set in the tie break after 67 minutes and shouted his joy unusually loudly.

Afterwards, however, the French Open finalist seemed completely weak – he finished the second round with almost no resistance. It went to the 28-year-old Dutchman after just over half an hour. In the deciding set it was finally evenly matched again; the decision was made after the German missed four match points in the tiebreak. Zverev (27) kept his nerve and prevailed with the successful match point after 2:48 hours.