Shanghai Masters 1000: Zverev Too Strong for Royer, Rinderknech Defeats Michelsen

Following Quentin Halys' defeat, two more French players were on court this Saturday in the second round of the Shanghai Masters 1000. The challenge was significant for Valentin Royer against world number 3 Alexander Zverev. The Frenchman, ranked 76th in the world and coming through qualifying, put up a respectable fight against the recent Australian Open finalist.

However, Royer failed to convert any of his five break point opportunities. On the other side, Zverev was clinical in each set and ultimately prevailed through experience. A finalist in this tournament in 2019, the German player—who was defeated in the quarterfinals by Daniil Medvedev in Beijing last week—regained confidence (6-4, 6-4 in 1 hour 38 minutes) and advances to the third round, where he will face another French player, Arthur Rinderknech.

The latter maintained his unbeaten record against Alex Michelsen by securing a third victory in three matches against the American on the main tour. The 28th seed, ranked 34th in the world, fell in straight sets and never managed to take a set off his opponent of the day (6-3, 6-4 in 1 hour 45 minutes).

Rinderknech and Zverev will thus meet again, a few months after their thrilling first-round match at Wimbledon, which the Frenchman won in a nail-biter (7-6, 6-7, 6-3, 6-7, 6-4).