Carlos Alcaraz stunned by Zizou Bergs in Shanghai Masters
Carlos Alcaraz was on the end of a Shanghai surprise after he was knocked out in the third round by Zizou Bergs.
Carlos Alcaraz was on the end of a Shanghai surprise after he was knocked out in the third round by Zizou Bergs.
The Spanish second seed, who won his 27th career title in Tokyo last week, was well below his best in a 7-5 7-6 (4) defeat.
As well as his seven-match winning streak, Alcaraz will now presumably lose his moustache, having promised to keep it throughout his stay in the Masters 1000 event as part of a bet with his team.
“It’s a bit about disbelief,” said Bergs, the world number 39 from Belgium, after the biggest win of his career.
“It’s a moment where you don’t really realise what’s going on. I’m going to have to calm down. I’m very happy how I handled the tie-break.
“This has been tough for me, I often have too much respect for these guys. To have this moment is a relief. I feel like I can win against these guys.”
Alcaraz’s defeat, and the continued absence of Jannik Sinner through injury, means Germany’s Alexander Zverev will end the year as world number one.
American Taylor Fritz suffered a dramatic collapse against Stefanos Tsitsipas.
The 11th seed led by a set and had dropped just three points on his first serve until the final game of the second.
But Greek world number 43 Tsitsipas secured a break to level the match and went on to win 3-6 7-5 6-3.
Published: by Radio NewsHub