Germany’s Zverev turns into tennis world Number 1

Alexander Zverev accelerated his ascension to primary on the planet rankings for the primary time in his profession on Thursday as he beat Tallon Griekspoor 6-4, 7-5 to succeed in the quarter-finals of the Vienna Open.

The 29-year-old German had already secured the chance to complete the season on the high of the ATP rankings, however the absence of reigning primary Jannik Sinner has cleared the best way for him to assert the place in Monday’s up to date standings.

Zverev’s achievement marks a big milestone in a profession that has seen him emerge as one of many main gamers in males’s tennis. The German loved an excellent 2026 season, successful the French Open and US Open to safe his first two Grand Slam titles.

Zverev makes historical past

With the newest improvement, Zverev will change into solely the thirtieth man to occupy the highest place because the ATP rankings have been launched in 1973.

At 29 years and 196 days when the brand new rankings are printed on Monday, he may also change into the second-oldest participant to succeed in world primary for the primary time, behind Australian John Newcombe.

Zverev has lengthy been considered some of the proficient gamers of his technology, however his failure to win a Grand Slam title had beforehand prevented him from totally realising his potential on the highest degree.

His victories on the French Open and US Open this yr have remodeled his profession, whereas his impending rise to the highest of the rankings additional underlines his dominance throughout the 2026 season.

Sinner’s absence opens the door

Sinner’s choice to finish his season in early October due to a knee harm created a chance for Zverev to overhaul the Italian within the rankings.

The German strengthened his place by defeating Spain’s Martin Landaluce and Griekspoor in his opening two matches on the Vienna Open, making certain he would transfer to the highest forward of subsequent month’s season-ending ATP Finals.

However, Zverev needed to overcome a troublesome problem in his first-round match towards Landaluce on Tuesday, saving 4 match factors earlier than finally securing victory.

His efficiency towards Griekspoor was significantly extra snug, as he maintained his composure to win in straight units and transfer into the quarter-finals.

German overcomes late interruption

Zverev made a powerful begin towards Griekspoor, breaking the Dutchman’s serve within the opening recreation earlier than sustaining his benefit to take the primary set 6-4.

The second set proved extra aggressive, with each gamers holding their serves till the rating reached 5-5. Zverev then capitalised on a chance to interrupt Griekspoor’s serve, transferring forward earlier than getting ready to serve for the match.

An surprising interruption occurred when Zverev’s smash struck a part of the digital promoting board behind Griekspoor, inflicting a bit of the show to malfunction because the German approached match level.

The umpire subsequently coated the affected panel with a towel, permitting play to renew. Zverev then accomplished the victory with an unreturnable serve to seal his place within the quarter-finals and make sure his impending rise to the summit of males’s tennis.

The German will now look to take care of his momentum in Vienna as he prepares for the ATP Finals subsequent month, the place he’ll purpose to consolidate his place among the many sport’s main gamers.