Alcaraz exits Shanghai Masters.. and Zverev secures the world number one ranking
Amman3 min read
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Spanish world number three Carlos Alcaraz exited the third round of the Shanghai Masters 1000 tournament, losing to Belgian Zizou Bergs 5-7, 6-7 (4/7) yesterday, a result that will allow German Alexander Zverev to finish the year at the top of the world rankings.
Zverev (29) officially became the world number one for the first time in his career on November 2nd following the Vienna tournament, after winning his first two Grand Slam titles this year at the French Open (Roland Garros) and the US Open.
Zverev told the ATP website: "It's a fantastic season for me, with two victories in Paris and New York, and knowing that I will finish the year at the top of the rankings is a real dream come true."
Alcaraz had achieved his first title since returning from an injury that kept him off the courts for months, by winning the Tokyo tournament earlier this month.
Alcaraz told reporters: "Today was not a good match on my part. I didn't feel good," and credited Bergs for capitalizing on opportunities and hitting powerful serves.
The 23-year-old added regarding the two-hour battle: "In some important moments, I didn't play my best, and I would say there were a few moments where he was lucky."
Bergs, ranked 39th in the world, who delivered one of the best performances of his career, will meet American Tommy Paul (18) in the next round, who dethroned Monaco's Valentin Vacherot by defeating him 6-4, 6-2.
Earlier, Greek world number 43 Stefanos Tsitsipas overcame a deficit against American Taylor Fritz to win 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, booking his spot in the fourth round, where he will meet Russian Daniil Medvedev, who easily bypassed Czech qualifier Dalibor Svrcina 6-2, 6-3.
The conclusion of the match was delayed due to a curious incident, after a tennis ball fell from Fritz's pocket for the second time, forcing the players to replay a point that served as a match point, in a scene that postponed the Greek's victory.
Fritz, the eleventh seed, appeared exhausted but held on until the eighth game before being unable to continue the resistance, while Tsitsipas maintained his serve to clinch the match on his fifth attempt to end it.
Tsitsipas said: "I could have made some things easier for myself, but I ended up being my own worst enemy."
He added: "I turned things around wonderfully in the final stages, made peace with myself, and played an amazing level of tennis."
Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp defeated Frenchman Arthur Fils 7-5, 6-4.
Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime, Norwegian Casper Ruud, and Spaniard Rafael Jodar also qualified for the round of 16.
