Zverev, currently ranked No. 2 in the world, entered the China Open with 9,630 ranking points, 1,370 behind reigning world No. 1 Jannik Sinner.
However, the German has been leading the 2026 ATP Race to Turin, which measures points earned during the current season. Zverev has accumulated 8,650 Race points, compared with 7,950 for Sinner.
Sinner's absence from the China Open has provided Zverev with an opportunity to reduce the gap. The Italian withdrew from the Beijing tournament because he was not yet ready to return while continuing his recovery from a knee injury.
Zverev has already enjoyed a significant rise in the rankings during 2026. At the start of the year, his deficit behind Sinner was considerably larger, but his results — including his US Open title — have helped move him closer to the top position.
The 29-year-old began his Beijing campaign on Thursday by defeating Britain's Cameron Norrie 7–6(1), 6–4 to reach the last 16.
• Alexander Zverev: 9,630 ATP ranking points
• Jannik Sinner: 11,000 ATP ranking points
• Zverev's ATP Race points: 8,650
• Sinner's ATP Race points: 7,950
• China Open: Zverev defeated Cameron Norrie 7–6(1), 6–4
Zverev's victory over Norrie followed his US Open triumph and subsequent victories for Team Germany in the Davis Cup and Team Europe at the Laver Cup. He will next face either China's Juncheng Shang or Argentina's Sebastian Baez in Beijing.
The battle for the year-end No. 1 position will continue through the Asian swing and the remaining major events of the 2026 ATP season.