The German international, Alexander Zverev, who is currently ranked as the world No. 3 by the ATP, was the highest ranked player remaining in the Shanghai Masters after the elimination of Jannik Sinner and Taylor Fritz. However, his dominance in the tournament has come to an end on a surprise note which left the whole tennis fraternity in disbelief as the 54th ranked French international Arthur Rinderknech achieved the unthinkable.
The 30-year-old French international defied all the odds and emerged on top against the former world No. 2 Zverev by defeating him with a 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 scoreline at the Shanghai Masters on Monday, October 6. Zverev looked in complete control and was composed from the start of the match, winning his first set comfortably.
However, the tie turned around its head when Rinderknech got a break in the second set and got complete control in the match in the third to secure the victory.
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I fought like hell, tried everything: Arthur Rinderknech
Following the victory, Arthur Rinderkneck said, "I'm not very sure how I managed to turn the game around. I fought like hell, tried everything. Zverev is such a good player... I knew it was going to be a battle. Starting in the second set... I was able to be offensive at the right moment, in a smarter way." This the the second time Rinderknech emerged victorious against Zverev after defeating him in five sets during the first round of Wimbledon this year.
Arthur Rinderknech has had an incredible run in the year 2025 having achieved his career best 23 wins in a season and reaching into the fourth round at the Shanghai Masters 1000 for the third time in his career. It will be interesting to see if he continues his winning streak in the upcoming stages of the tournament.
