Arthur Rinderknech Shares Trick He Used to Knock Out Alexander Zverev from Shanghai Masters

Arthur Rinderknech now holds a 2-0 head-to-head record over World No.3 Alexander Zverev.

Arthur Rinderknech Shares Trick He Used to Knock Out Alexander Zverev from Shanghai Masters

Arthur Rinderknech, Alexander Zverev (Image via X/AllAboutHQ)

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Another campaign of Alexander Zverev‘s has ended in disappointment. On Tuesday (October 6), Arthur Rinderknech came from a set down to knock out Zverev to reach the fourth round of a Masters 1000 tournament for the first time in his career.

Zverev has now lost a tournament without reaching the semifinals for the third consecutive time. After losing to eventual semifinalist Felix Auger-Aliassime in the US Open third round and Daniil Medvedev in the China Open quarterfinal, Zverev failed to progress beyond the fourth round of the Shanghai Masters for the third consecutive time. Following his win, Rinderknech talked about the tactics he used to beat Zverev. He said at the press conference:

It’s not what he (Zverev) is best at, so I tried to move him forward to unsettle him. He likes to move off the line, counterattack, hit hard, and force his opponent into errors. That actually happened in the first set. After that, I found more precision in my tactics, combining shots to draw him forward and then pushing him back while keeping him on his toes with drop shots.

Before this year, Rinderknech had never played the third round in Shanghai. Zverev, on the other hand, was the finalist in Shanghai back in 2019, losing that match to Medvedev.

Rinderknech will next be locking horns with Jiri Lehecka, who went past Denis Shapovalov in the previous round. They hold a 1-1 head-to-head record after Lehecka’s win in the first round of the 2023 Indian Wells and Rinderknech’s win in the fourth round of last year’s Open 13.

Arthur Rinderknech improves his head-to-head record over Alexander Zverev

It was Arthur Rinderknech who became the reason behind Alexander Zverev‘s opening-round defeat at Wimbledon this year. They clashed in a thrilling five-set battle, but in the end, the three-time Grand Slam finalist failed to end the match in his favor. Rinderknech’s latest victory means he now holds a perfect 2-0 head-to-head record over Sascha.

Alexander Zverev Canadian Open 2025
Alexander Zverev (image via X/Tennis World USA)

Not many can say they’re 2-0 up head-to-head against Zverev. I’m very happy, very proud. It means a lot to me to beat him again. My level of play has always been there for a long time. It’s good. This is the path I’m looking for and the one we’re perfecting. The next match against Lehecka is crucial to confirm that.

Arthur Rinderknech said at the press conference

Rinderknech is chasing his career’s first singles title. Zverev has featured in three finals this year, winning only the Munich Open. He lost the Australian Open final to World No.2 Jannik Sinner.

After beating Ben Shelton in Munich, Zverev suffered his fifth consecutive defeat to Taylor Fritz when they met in the Stuttgart Open final. Zverev will next be seen in action at the Paris Masters, which he clinched last year by beating Ugo Humbert. Zverev has so far featured in two finals, losing in 2020 and winning it last year.

Arthur Rinderknech could face Lorenzo Musetti in the quarterfinals

If Rinderknech beats Lehecka, he could schedule a clash with 2024 Paris Olympics bronze medalist Lorenzo Musetti. The Italian will meet Felix Auger-Aliassime for a spot in the last eight.

Lorenzo Musetti (2)
Lorenzo Musetti (Image via X/We Are Tennis)

Musetti is still searching for his first title since winning the 2022 Tennis Napoli Cup. Since that win, he played five finals, losing all. This year, twice he progressed to a championship clash: he lost to Carlos Alcaraz in Monte Carlo and to Alejandro Tabilo in the Chengdu Open final.

Musetti met the Frenchman in the quarterfinal of the 2023 Chengdu Open, which he won in straight sets. At the Shanghai Masters, Musetti has progressed to the third round for the first time in his career.

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