For the first time: Zverev to become men's world number one in tennis

Germany's Alexander Zverev will become the men's world number one in tennis for the first time in his career following Carlos Alcaraz's defeat to Zizou Bergs at the Shanghai Masters on Monday.

He will also achieve year-end number one ranking, becoming the first German man to do so. 

"It's been a fantastic season for me winning in Paris and New York and knowing that I will finish the year on top of the rankings is just a dream come true," Zverev was quoted in an ATP statement. 

"So much work and effort have been put into achieving this goal, especially after coming back from the ankle injury. I look forward to finishing the season in style."

The French Open and US Open champion is for now number two in the pecking order, but will take over the top spot, currently occupied by Italian Jannik Sinner. 

Sinner suffered several setbacks this year and ended his season prematurely due to persistent knee problems and will not be able to defend his points tally from last year.

Zverev, meanwhile, had the best season of his career, claiming his first-ever major title at the French Open and adding a second to his name with the US Open win.

"Finishing the season as year-end number one is the ultimate achievement in our sport. Congratulations to Sascha, who became just the 20th player to do so," ATP chairman Andrea Gaudenzi said.

German hall of fame

Steffi Graf became the first German athlete ever to achieve year-end number one in the women's ranking in 1987.

Graf also finished the year as number one in 1988-1990 and between 1993 and 1996. Also in the women's tour, Angelique Kerber finished 2016 as the best player.

Boris Becker achieved men's number one in 1991, but didn't finish the year at the top. 

Becker had already congratulated Zverev last week, when Sinner announced his season was over.

Bergs stunned world number three Alcaraz 7-5, 7-6 (7-4) and made it through to the last 16. Zverev has also advanced and will face Alexander Bublik.

November 2 as the target

Neither Alcaraz nor world number four Ben Shelton can overtake Zverev any more.

It's still unclear when the German will take over the number one spot from Sinner, but it could happen as early as the rankings updated on November 2, according to the ATP. 

For that to happen, Zverev would have to win the ongoing Shanghai Masters and reach the semi-finals of the tournament in Vienna at the end of October. Reaching the final in Shanghai and winning the title in Austria would also be enough.