Regardless of what happens between now and the end of the season, Alexander Zverev will start 2027 as the world number one. Zverev secured

Alexander Zverev's semi-final defeat at the Shanghai Masters against eventual champion Alejandro Davidovich Fokina. It seems that the German had reached his limit in terms of matches played with the Asian swing culminating a very busy period.

The 29-year-old German lost 5-7, 6-4, 6-3 to the Spanish tennis player, missing an opportunity to reach another Masters 1000 final this season.

Jannik Sinner's season-ending injury has left Alexander Zverev all but certain to finish 2026 at No. 1, and he can clinch it in Shanghai in two ways.

No.1 seed Alexander Zverev of Germany survived a 7-6 (6), 4-6, 7-6 (1) slugfest against No.19 Alexander Bublik of Kazakhstan in Tuesday's fourth-round action at the Rolex Shanghai Masters.

Sascha's run at the Masters 1000 in Shanghai came to a halt in the semifinals

Men’s top seed Alexander Zverev won a thrilling four-set, three-hour and 33 minute showdown with No. 8 seed Ben Shelton 6-3, 7-6 (2), 5-7, 6-2 to win his first career US Open title on Sunday.

Today’s men’s singles final is at 2 p.m. ET. That is 11 a.m. PT or 7 p.m. in the U.K. Greetings, tennis fans! Welcome to The Athletic’s live coverage of today’s men’s singles final at the 2026 U.S. Open. It’s a compelling championship match. Alexander Zverev (1) looks to win his second Grand Slam of the year.

Alexander Zverev's career. But he still has a few goals left to achieve as the season winds down. To do that, he'll need to recharge first.