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Alexander Zverev defeated Shang Juncheng 6-0, 6-3 at the China Open to reach the quarter-finals, where he will face Novak Djokovic in Beijing.
Alexander Zverev defeated Chinese wildcard Shang Juncheng 6-0, 6-3 at the China Open in Beijing on Oct 3, needing just 55 minutes to reach the quarter-finals, where he will face Novak Djokovic on Oct 4. The German top seed, ranked second in the world, fired nine aces against his 21-year-old opponent, who is ranked 250th.
Zverev said he was happy with the win and described Shang as a dangerous player with nothing to lose. He added that he was looking forward to the next couple of weeks as he targets the world number one spot currently held by Jannik Sinner.
Djokovic Test Awaits Zverev in Beijing
Djokovic has never lost a match in Beijing, making the quarter-final a significant test for Zverev, who is aiming to close the gap on Sinner in the rankings. The Italian won the China Open in 2025 but is not competing this time and said on Oct 3 that he would also miss next week's Shanghai Masters.
Sinner did not give a reason for his latest withdrawal. He has not played since winning the Wimbledon title in July because of a right knee injury, leaving the top of the men's game open for Zverev to pursue the number one ranking.
In the rest of the men's draw, third seed Daniil Medvedev advanced to the quarter-finals with a 6-4, 6-3 win over Germany's Jan-Lennard Struff. Fifth seed Alex de Minaur and Andrey Rublev both needed three sets to progress and will play each other in the last eight.
Zheng Qinwen Wins After Fan Distractions
Earlier, Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen rebuked rowdy fans at her home tournament before opponent Anna Kalinskaya retired with an injury, giving the Chinese player a 6-7 (4/7), 6-4, 3-0 victory. During a tight first-set tie-break, Zheng twice told spectators to stop shouting as she prepared to serve.
Zheng, a beloved figure in her home country, said the first set in particular was really difficult. She added that seeing movement in the audience left her emotions unstable, and the 23-year-old world number 54 vowed to improve her focus.
Chants for Zheng rang through the wind-rattled stadium before most points, with fans occasionally yelling at each other to quieten down. After levelling in the second set, Zheng was handed a lifeline when Russia's Kalinskaya retired three games down in the third due to injury after two hours and 22 minutes.
Zheng next faces either Czech player Marie Bouzkova or Australia's Kimberly Birrell in the third round.
Gauff Survives Scare to Reach Third Round
In the women's draw, Coco Gauff kept her composure to beat Camila Osorio 7-6 (7/4), 4-6, 6-2, overcoming shaky serving to survive the second round. The Colombian, ranked 66th, put up a formidable fight after double-faulting to lose a testy first-set tie-break, though she needed medicine to push through trouble with her back.
Osorio saved two match points, but Gauff, the world number four, dug deep, rescuing long rallies with a solid backhand and cross-court saves. The 22-year-old American said it was tough and not the cleanest match after two hours and 18 minutes.
Gauff next faces Chinese teenager Sun Xinran, world number 582, who beat Spain's Cristina Bucsa 6-4, 7-5. The China Open continues in Beijing with quarter-final places at stake in both draws.
Please follow us on Google to support usAlexander Zverev China Open Novak Djokovic Zheng Qinwen Coco Gauff Shang Juncheng Jannik Sinner
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