World no. 3 Alexander Zverev made a successful begin in Shanghai. The German defeated Valentin Royer 6-4, 6-4 in an hour and 38 minutes for his a hundred and sixtieth Masters 1000 triumph.
Zverev served for the win at 5-4 within the second set when he stopped after the primary level, feeling ache in his proper foot and asking for a medical timeout. The favourite served out for the win, however we’re but to see how critical is his damage.
Alexander fired 12 aces and defended all 5 break factors to maintain the stress on his rival. The Frenchman performed higher behind the second serve however skilled two breaks from 4 alternatives introduced to world no. 3.
Oh le lob parfaitement placé de Zverev
Pas assez tranchante la volée de Royer 😬
pic.twitter.com/FH1wAi3dbm
— TennisTemple (@tennistemple) October 4, 2025
The German landed 27 winners and 15 unforced errors, taming his strokes properly and outplaying his rival in service winners and from the baseline. Zverev constructed the lead within the quickest exchanges, whereas nothing separated them within the extra superior ones.
Royer missed a routine forehand within the first recreation of the duel and skilled an early break. Alexander supplied three comfy holds and cast a 4-2 benefit earlier than providing his rival a break likelihood in recreation eight.
Valentin missed an enormous alternative to transform it, permitting his rival to deliver the sport dwelling and transfer 5-3 in entrance. Zverev served for the opener at 5-4 and landed an ace to wrap up the primary a part of the duel in 40 minutes.
Alexander Zverev & Valentin Royer, Shanghai Masters 2025© Stream screenshot
Royer fired a forehand down the road winner within the fourth recreation of the second set and created two break probabilities. The German denied them and closed the sport to stage the rating at 2-2.
Valentin saved a break level within the seventh recreation and made a push on the return within the subsequent one. Alexander saved them and closed the sport with a forehand down the road winner to ship the stress to the opposite facet.
The Frenchman squandered three recreation factors in recreation 9, which might value him dearly. Zverev seized the second break level with a lob winner to maneuver in entrance and serve for the win.
Nonetheless, he required a medical timeout following foot points at 5-4. World no. 3 saved his composure and moved excessive with a maintain at love.
