Germany’s Alexander Zverev, the second seed, reached the third round of the Shanghai Masters by defeating Italian qualifier Mattia Bellucci 6-4, 6-2 at the Qi Zhong Tennis Center on Saturday.
This was Zverev’s first match after the Laver Cup, and he needed less than 100 minutes to secure the victory, having received a bye in the first round.
The German delivered a clinical performance, maintaining a strong serve, hitting seven aces and 18 winners, while converting three break points to easily overcome Bellucci in the second round.
Ranked No. 3, Zverev will now face the winner of the upcoming match between Australian Jordan Thompson, seeded 26th, and Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor.
In the previous round of the Shanghai tournament, Bellucci, ranked No. 101, had defeated lucky loser Billy Harris (6-3, 6-4).