Zverev loses in Tokyo, opens way for others in battle for ATP Finals spots
The German is still seventh in the Race but his place could now be vulnerable
(Imago/Panoramic)
Alexander Zverev suffered a blow to his hopes of qualifying for the season-ending ATP Finals in Turin after he was beaten 6-3, 6-4 by Australia’s Jordan Thompson in the first round of the Tokyo Open on Monday.
The German, who has won the ATP Finals twice, is seventh in the Race to Turin and will now have to watch as those immediately behind him in the Race – Holger Rune, defending champion Taylor Fritz, Casper Ruud and Hubert Hurkacz, the winner in Shanghai on Sunday, try to win titles this week.
Zverev still has a healthy 305-point advantage over Rune in eighth place but with 500 points on offer to the winner in Tokyo and 250 each in Stockholm and Antwerp, things could change quickly.
Top seed Fritz faces a tough opener in Tokyo against Cam Norrie while Hurkacz, fresh from his win in Shanghai over Andrey Rublev, plays Zhizhen Zhang. Ruud, seeded No 2, plays Yosuke Watanuki.
In Stockholm, top seed Rune has a first-round bye and will play either Miomir Kecmanovic or Karl Friberg in his opener.
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