Alexander Zverev’s chances of qualifying for the ATP Finals were dashed in the first round of the Japan Open by Australia’s Jordan Thompson. The German enjoyed a resurgence to form during the North American hard-court swing, reaching the semi-finals of the Cincinnati Masters and the quarter-finals of the US Open, and he carried that momentum over to the Asian swing, winning the Chengdu Open before reaching the last eight of the China Open.
However, Zverev lost in the second round of the Shanghai Masters, and he has now lost in the first round of the Tokyo Open. As a result, he will not be able to qualify for the ATP Finals this week, putting him in a precarious position. Zverev presently sits sixth in the Live Race to Turin with 3,415 points, but those outside the top eight are not far behind and can make up ground in Tokyo and elsewhere.
Taylor Fritz is currently in ninth place, just 450 points behind the former world no.2, with Casper Ruud another 170 points down and Shanghai Masters champion Hubert Hurkacz another 20 points back. World No.1 Novak Djokovic, second-ranked Carlos Alcaraz, Russian top-seed Daniil Medvedev, and Italian Jannik Sinner have already booked their berths at the ATP Finals. Four other players still need to confirm their spots.
Third seed Zverev confessed he struggled on Monday after Thompson broke his serve in game four of the first set. In the second set, the German took a 2-0 lead, but the Australian broke back in game three and again in game nine. Today I played horrible, Zverev admitted. He played well, he served well, but it’s just a very, very bad match for me. I’m at a loss for words, the German added. Those behind Zverev in the Race will have an opportunity to bridge the gap as Fritz meets Cameron Norrie in the opening round in Japan on Tuesday, Ruud faces Yosuke Watanuki, and Hubert faces Zhang Zhizhen.
Meanwhile, eighth seed Felix Auger-Aliassime won his first ATP Tour match since the Cincinnati Masters in August, defeating Aleksandar Vukic 7-6 (7-3), 6-7 (2-7), 6-2 at the Japan Open. The Canadian had fallen in the first round of the US Open, China Open, and Shanghai Masters. It is a big relief. There have been tough times lately when I was wondering what to do. I have to keep on training and believing and hope my level will come back, Auger-Aliassime said.
