Alexander Zverev stunned by Jordan Thompson, Felix Auger-Aliassime overcomes Aleksandar Vukic at Japan Open

Alexander Zverev was beaten in straight sets by Jordan Thompson at the Japan Open, and the German was not pleased with his performance in the match. Zverev lost in straight sets to the 29-year-old. Elsewhere, Felix Auger-Aliassime claimed a morale-boosting three-set win over another Australian, Aleksandar Vukic. The Canadian won 7-6(3) 6-7(2) 6-2 to advance in Tokyo.

Jordan Thompson stunned world No. 9 Alexander Zverev with a 6-3 6-4 first-round win at the Japan Open.

The Australian prevailed in straight sets in just over an hour-and-a-half to set up a second-round meeting with either US Open semi-finalist Ben Shelton or Taro Daniel.

The defeat is a blow to Zverev's hopes of reaching the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin.

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He currently sits in seventh place in the Race To Turin standings, with the top eight qualifying for the prestigious end-of-year tournament.

Speaking after the defeat, Zverev said: "Today I played horrible.

"He played quite good, he served quite good, but it's just a very, very bad match for me. I don't know what to say."

Holger Rune, Taylor Fritz, Casper Ruud and Shanghai Masters winner Hubert Hurkacz are among those who could close the gap on Zverev in the Race to Turin standings this week.

The winner in Tokyo will amass 500 ranking points, while those competing in Stockholm and Antwerp will gain 250 points each.

World No. 9 Zverev was in trouble early against Thompson after losing his serve in the fourth game, as the Australian moved into a 3-1 lead on his third break point.

Thompson did not show many chinks in his armour to allow the German back into the set, and staved off one break point in the ninth game before taking the set.

A Zverev revival looked on the cards when he secured an early break of Thompson's serve to move 2-0 ahead in the second set, but the world No. 60 immediately broke back.

Thompson had the opportunity to serve for the match after breaking Zverev again to move 5-4 in front, and he claimed the win on his third match point.

It was a memorable win for Thompson, who admits this gives him hope of beating the world’s best players.

“I haven’t done anywhere near as much as he has but when I get on the court with these guys, I’ve got to believe that I can beat them,” added the 29-year-old.

“If you don’t believe it, you may as well not be out here, so I’m just really enjoying the challenge.”

Auger-Aliassime ends losing run with Vukic victory

Felix Auger-Aliassime is safely through to round two with a three-set win over another Australian, Aleksandar Vukic.

Auger-Aliassime prevailed with a 7-6(3) 6-7(2) 6-2 win to end a four-match losing streak, and will face Sebastian Ofner on Thursday.

The Canadian certainly did not have everything his own way in a gripping contest, and the tone was set in a tight seventh game in the first set.

Vukic was eventually broken after a sixth break point in a game which went to deuce five times.

Auger-Aliassime squandered a set point while leading 5-4, as world No. 54 Vukic hit back to level the scores at 5-5 before a tie-break ensued.

Auger-Aliassime won the tie-break 7-3 to take an opening set that lasted an hour and five minutes.

Highlights: Auger-Aliassime overcomes Vukic in Tokyo to end losing run

Video credit: SNTV

Vukic hit back with impressive gusto in the second set, breaking the Canadian's serve in the fifth game to move 3-2 up, before straining every sinew to claim a crucial hold at 4-2 after swatting away six break points.

However, the 27-year-old squandered his chance to serve for the set and surrendered a 30-0 lead to wipe out his advantage.

The Australian would go on to comprehensively win the tie-break on this occasion though, as Auger-Aliassime lost on his serve three times and the score was levelled.

In contrast to the closeness of the opening two sets, Auger-Aliassime powered through in set three with relative ease to win the match.

Vukic was broken to love in the first game, and despite putting up a better fight on his next serve, the Canadian extended his lead to 3-0.

This was the first of three consecutive games without a service hold, but the damage had already been done at 4-1 and Auger-Aliassime won the third set 6-2 on his second match point.

Paul recovers from losing first set to progress

Fifth seed Tommy Paul's place in the second round looked in danger after losing the opening set against Germany's Daniel Altmaier.

After a fairly even start to the match in Tokyo, Altmaier stunned the American with back-to-back breaks to take the advantage.

However, Paul's recovery was exceptional, taking the second 6-1.

Paul took control of the deciding set, breaking early before racing into a 4-1 lead.

The World No.12 went on to save two break points to move within a game of the next round and, though Altmaier dug in, Paul was able to finish the match on his next service game - progressing 3-6 6-1 6-3.

Image credit: Getty Images

After the match, Paul addressed his poor start by referencing the court conditions, saying, "Yeah it’s quick, we also changed balls from last week. So the balls are flying a little bit more. Just a little adjusting you have to do every week.”

He will go up against his friend and compatriot Mackenzie McDonald next.

Prizmic stuns in Stockholm

At the Stockholm Open, there was a huge shock as teenager Dino Prizmic got the biggest win of his career to knock out Jiri Lehecka.

Prizmic, 18, is through to the second round after a 6-3 7-5 victory.

The Croatian broke Lehecka's serve three times and won 41% of his return points in the match.

Speaking after securing victory, Prizmic said: "I will try just to play my best tennis and try to enjoy every match. I don't want to give to myself big pressure. I just want to play my best tennis and enjoy every moment.”

Prizmic will face home favourite Elias Ymer next, after he saw off Roberto Bautista Agut 6-4 6-4.

There were no such home comforts for Karl Friberg though as the Swedish player was beaten in straight sets by Miomir Kecmanovic.

Lorenzo Sonego is through to round two after a 4-6 6-3 6-4 win against Serbia's Dusan Lajovic.

The Italian made a poor start in Sweden and was broken in the opening game of the match.

Despite missing two opportunities to win the set on Sonego's serve, Lajovic held strong when the ball was in his hand to take the first.

Sonego fought back in the second, though, and an early break of serve allowed him to level the match.

The deciding set looked destined for a tie-break with both players comfortably holding serve, until Sonego got his nose in front with a break to go 5-4 ahead.

He served out to love to complete victory.

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