Alexander Zverev secured his place in the China Open quarter-final, but his injury fears might not be behind him.
Zverev is looking to overcome inconsistent form in 2025 with a deep run at the China Open, and he beat an impressive Corentin Moutet in three sets in the round of 16.
The German set up another clash with his long-time rival Daniil Medvedev, whom Zverev has failed to beat in their last four meetings.
Despite securing his place in the final eight, Zverev revealed more details on the niggling back injury he’s been suffering with over the summer.
Alexander Zverev says he’s still in ‘pain’ at the China Open
Zverev’s wins over Lorenzo Sonego and Moutet have been impressive enough in Beijing, but the German has confirmed he’s still in pain from a back injury.
The German had an injection in his back in order to play the tournament and he confirmed he ‘didn’t feel good physically’ against Moutet.
“I had some pain,” revealed the World No. 3 in his post-match interview on the Diamond Court in Beijing after his latest win.
“I was a bit down on myself at times because of that, but when it mattered, I fought and in the third set, I thought I played the best tennis,” added Zverev.
Zverev had revealed details of his back injury at the 2025 Laver Cup, which saw him lose to Alex De Minaur and Taylor Fritz.
Alexander Zverev’s last win over Daniil Medvedev
Zverev’s issues with his back could not have come at a worse time as he’s set to meet a player he has a torrid record against.
Zverev and Medvedev have been at the top of the sport for nearly a decade now, and the German does not have a good record against his rival.
Zverev has won just 7 of his 20 matches against Medvedev, dating back to their first meeting nine years ago in 2016.
The German’s last win against Medvedev came all the way back in 2023, when Zverev knocked the Russian out of the round of 16 of the Cincinnati Open.
The pair’s only meeting in a Grand Slam also went the way of Medvedev, who defeated Zverev in the semi-final of the Australian Open.
