Zverev Clinches First No. 1 Ranking With Vienna Win Over Griekspoor

Alexander Zverev beat Tallon Griekspoor 6–4, 7–5 in Vienna on Thursday to secure his first appearance at world No. 1 when the ATP Rankings are published November 2.

The victory put the German into the Erste Bank Open quarterfinals, meeting the threshold in the ATP’s published ranking scenario. He will officially replace Jannik Sinner at the top on Monday.

Zverev does not need to win the tournament to establish that date. Reaching the last eight was enough to guarantee the change, regardless of his remaining results at the Austrian ATP 500 event.

He will become the 30th player to hold the No. 1 position and the second German man to do so. Boris Becker first reached the top of the rankings in 1991.

The milestone is distinct from the year-end No. 1 honor Zverev had already secured. The annual award and the first week spent atop the published rankings can be established at different times.

Zverev previously won the Vienna title in 2021 and was the top seed for this week’s tournament.

The 29-year-old won this season’s Roland Garros and US Open titles. Thursday’s result adds the ranking milestone to those major championships, while leaving his Vienna title campaign in progress.

Zverev’s route began with a difficult opening match against Martin Landaluce. He saved four match points before winning a deciding tiebreak, preserving the opportunity to settle Monday’s ranking change in the next round.

Griekspoor had reached their meeting by defeating Brandon Nakashima in three sets Wednesday. Zverev’s straight-sets win therefore ended the Dutchman’s run and completed the required quarterfinal qualification.

Arthur Fery is next after beating Lorenzo Musetti, according to the Thursday match reports. The remaining Vienna matches will decide the tournament winner; the date of Zverev’s first week at No. 1 is now fixed for Monday’s ranking release.