Alexander Zverev smashes off-colour Shang in less than an hour to confirm Djokovic showdown in Beijing

Alexander Zverev senses a huge opportunity at the China Open. With other external news being broken ahead of his contest in Beijing, the No.1 seed took just 55 minutes to demolish an underwhelming Juncheng Shang 6-0, 6-3 to set up what is a highly anticipating quarter-final showdown.

Before the contest started, the pressure went up a notch. The World No.1 Jannik Sinner withdrew from the upcoming Shanghai Masters, leaving the top spot in the ATP rankings under threat from the German. Never having climbed that high in his career, it seems like an opportunity is fast arising.

A big boost would come in the form of winning the China Open in Beijing, in which he is the favourite to do. After a tremendous display against Cameron Norrie in the opening round, he was hopeful in producing another convincing display on the Diamond Court against Shang.

There was also a sense of anticipation around the contest. The winner would be facing six-time champion Novak Djokovic in the quarter-finals. The Serbian has never lost in this tournament before but will have his work cut out against a rampant Zverev demolishing everything in his path.

This included Shang, who was evidently struggling on court with an ab issue. Zverev won the first set in just over 20 minutes, dropping just a handful of points. Shang finally got on the board in the 10th game of the match, but while he was not at his best, his opponent was mesmerising. He saw it out on serve, dropping just five points on serve throughout the whole match. He racked up nine aces and did not face a break point in the entire match.

From the off, it was clear that Zverev was going to be tough to beat. He has so far buckled the trend of players who featured in the Laver Cup and Davis Cup in between the US Open succumbing to early defeats.

He kicked off with a comfortable hold before failing to convert a first break point of the match. He created another, which was taken, thus beginning an ominous streak with both players producing contrasting displays.

Zverev would make it 15 points on the spin to break, hold to love, break to love, hold to love and go 15-0 up at 5-0 to the good. Shang eventually halted the rot, but he was not playing very well. The two-time Grand Slam champion sensed this and completed the bagel in just 22 minutes.

The Beijing crowd were stunned, and an explanation behind the scoreline was shown in the form of the doctor coming on the court for Shang. Citing some pain around his stomach area, he took some painkillers and soldiered on.

It would not be much longer. Zverev steamed further ahead, grabbing a break en route to a 3-0 lead. Shang prevented the humiliating double bagel as he finally got on the board.

That was not going to be enough to commence a fabulous comeback. The latest hold to love edged Zverev 4-1 to the good as Shang doubled his game tally. A brace of holds to love later, and Zverev would have the chance to serve it out.