Scorching heat nightmare! No. 3 seed Zverev suffers a shocking exit, leaving Djokovic as the only top-six seed standing

The continuous high temperatures have made this year’s Shanghai Masters a “seeded players’ graveyard,” and with Zverev, the No. 3 seed, losing to Frenchman Linderknech in the third round today, only Djokovic remains among the top six seeds.

In the night session, German ace Zverev battled through three sets but after taking the first set, he was reversed 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, failing to reach the last 16. This victory added another win to Linderknech’s head-to-head record against Zverev and marked his second triumph over this top player since the first round of Wimbledon this year.

The match was heated even before it began, as Linderknech’s pre-match comments about Shanghai’s weather sparked controversy. After defeating Mickelson, he told L’Equipe: “The humidity here is crazy, even worse than summer in the US. Plus, we all know the heavy pollution in China’s big cities, which definitely makes breathing harder.”

These remarks upset fans online. Some criticized Linderknech’s “lack of cultural awareness,” accusing him of confusing the intense heat caused by subtropical high pressure with pollution.

Zverev was not silent either; he blasted the slow court speed at the Shanghai Masters, claiming it hampered his performance and suggesting it was a tactic by organizers to increase the chances of Sinner and Alcaraz meeting more often in finals. His comments drew backlash from many fans and even from Sinner himself.

Before this match, the head-to-head record between Zverev and Linderknech was already intense. Their last encounter was in the first round of Wimbledon this year, a classic battle lasting 4 hours and 40 minutes, where Linderknech narrowly won 3-2, causing Zverev’s first Grand Slam opening-round exit since 2019.

Technically, Linderknech’s serve and baseline consistency are most effective on fast hard courts, which is exactly what Zverev needed to be wary of.

At the start of the match, Zverev quickly found his rhythm and played solidly in the first set. He broke serve in the fourth game to lead 3-1. Despite Linderknech’s attempts to fight back, Zverev maintained his edge and took the first set 6-4.

First-set stats showed Zverev’s first-serve points won at an impressive 82%, well above Linderknech’s 63%; he also led in winners 12 to 7, demonstrating the strength of the No. 3 seed.

Viewers in the live chat commented: “Looks like Zverev is out for revenge from Wimbledon,” and “Zverev’s form looks good today.”

The second set saw a dramatic shift. Linderknech adapted to Zverev’s pace and broke serve in the fourth game to lead 3-1. As the match progressed, Shanghai’s hot and humid conditions began to affect the players. Temperatures reached 35°C with 60%-65% humidity, forcing several players to withdraw due to the harsh environment.

Live chat viewers noted: “Zverev is wiping sweat more frequently,” and “Playing in this weather is like being in a sauna.”

After holding his serve, Linderknech took the second set 6-3, pushing the match into a deciding set.

In the final set, Zverev’s stamina clearly declined. Linderknech broke serve repeatedly and quickly went up 4-0. Comments flooded the live chat: “Zverev can’t keep up,” and “Just like Fritz’s situation” (referring to No. 5 seed Fritz’s exit due to physical exhaustion). Although Zverev managed to hold two service games afterward, the deficit was too large to overcome. Linderknech comfortably closed the set 6-2, completing a 2-1 comeback to reach the round of 16.

After the match, Linderknech spoke again about the playing conditions in Shanghai, describing it as another tough contest under difficult circumstances. “Unlike the last match, I still felt it was hard to breathe on the court,” he admitted in an interview. “Of course, it’s really tough here; the humidity is insanely high, worse than anywhere else.”

With Zverev’s departure, only the No. 4 seed Djokovic remains among the top six seeds in the draw. Top seed Alcaraz withdrew before the tournament; No. 2 seed Sinner retired due to severe cramps while trailing 2-3 in the deciding set; No. 5 seed Fritz lost 4-6, 5-7 to Peric; and No. 6 seed Shelton was upset 2-6, 4-6 by Goffin. As the lone survivor among the top six, Djokovic now faces an excellent opportunity to vie for the title with his main rivals eliminated.

Currently, Djokovic also leads the championship odds leaderboard with a strong favorite status; however, Shanghai’s heat and the veteran’s physical condition remain significant challenges. In his previous match against Hanfmann, Djokovic even vomited twice, raising concerns about his endurance in the hot conditions.

Fans shared their thoughts on the upset, with some joking: “Is this Zverev’s ‘Wimbledon aftereffect’? How did Linderknech send him off again?”

Others pointed out the weather’s impact: “Shanghai’s conditions are just a continuation of Lisbon’s seed killer weather; so many withdrawals are no coincidence.”

Regarding Djokovic being the last top seed standing, one fan commented: “All the pressure is now on Djokovic; he’s the only top-six seed left, and his draw looks favorable.”

Linderknech will face 15th seed Lehecka in the next round. Whether he can continue his “seed killer” streak and improve his best Shanghai Masters performance will be a major highlight in the upcoming matches.(Source: Tennis Home, Author: Lu Xiaotian)