Arthur Rinderknech Stuns Alexander Zverev in Shanghai Masters Upset

World number three Alexander Zverev suffered a shock defeat at the Shanghai Masters on Monday, falling 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 to France’s Arthur Rinderknech, who pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the tournament.

The 54th-ranked Frenchman battled back from a set down to overcome the German star in gruelling, humid conditions, sending Zverev crashing out and leaving Novak Djokovic as the highest-ranked player remaining in the competition.

Zverev, who had reportedly injured his big toe in his previous match, showed no early discomfort as he broke Rinderknech in the third game to take the opening set. However, the Frenchman regained composure in the second set, breaking back and gradually shifting the momentum in his favour.

“I’m not very sure how I managed to turn the game around,” Rinderknech admitted after the match. “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.”

In the deciding set, Rinderknech broke Zverev early and maintained control as the German struggled in the sweltering heat, even pausing to change his sweat-soaked shoes. A costly double fault in the seventh game sealed Zverev’s fate, and Rinderknech closed out the match with an ace, celebrating in disbelief as he danced across the court.

Zverev’s exit follows a series of withdrawals and retirements that have shaken the draw. Defending champion Jannik Sinner retired on Sunday due to leg cramps, while Taylor Fritz was also eliminated. Carlos Alcaraz, the world number one, had pulled out ahead of the tournament to rest.

With Zverev out, Djokovic — ranked world number five — now stands as the top seed as the event heads into the round of 16.

Elsewhere, Alex de Minaur cruised past Poland’s Kamil Majchrzak 6-1, 7-5 to reach the fourth round. “I came into this week knowing how tough the conditions were going to be,” said the Australian. “The mindset is surviving, finding ways, and getting ready for battles every time you step on court.”

De Minaur will next face Portugal’s Nuno Borges, who defeated China’s Shang Juncheng 7-6 (7/5), 4-6, 6-3.