World number three, Alexander Zverev suffered a shock exit from the Shanghai Masters in China, on Monday, falling 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 to France’s Arthur Rinderknech.
With the German out, Novak Djokovic now stands as the highest-ranked player remaining in the tournament.
Rinderknech, ranked 54th in the world, staged an impressive comeback in sweltering conditions, overturning a set deficit to overcome a rattled Zverev.
Despite sustaining a big toe injury in his previous match, Zverev appeared unfazed at the start, breaking Rinderknech in the third game with a forehand.
The German nearly seized the early advantage in the second set, but the Frenchman held his composure, applying pressure in the fourth game to earn a crucial break.
Reflecting on his performance, Rinderknech 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.”
Maintaining his momentum, Rinderknech broke again in the third set’s third game. Zverev had to pause to change his sweat-soaked shoes, with spectators fanning themselves and using cool packs to combat the oppressive humidity.
The break, however, did little to reverse the tide, and a double fault in the seventh game handed Rinderknech another break.
The Frenchman closed out the match with an ace, celebrating in disbelief before dancing across the court in jubilation.
With Zverev out, Djokovic, ranked fifth in the world, now leads the rankings in Shanghai as the tournament progresses to the last 16.
The competition has already seen major exits, with defending champion Jannik Sinner retiring due to severe leg cramps and fourth-ranked Taylor Fritz also eliminated. World number one Carlos Alcaraz withdrew at the last moment to rest.
Meanwhile, Alex de Minaur, the next highest seed after Djokovic, comfortably advanced to the fourth round, defeating Poland’s Kamil Majchrzak 6-1, 7-5.
The Australian shared his mindset, “I came into this week knowing how tough the conditions were going to be. So the mindset ultimately is surviving, finding ways, and getting ready for battles every time you step out on the court.”
De Minaur will face Portugal’s Nuno Borges next, who eliminated home favourite Shang Juncheng 7-6 (7/5), 4-6, 6-3.
