Key Takeaways
- Unseeded Belgian Zizou Bergs defeats seven-time Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz in Shanghai.
- Alexander Zverev clinches the ATP’s year-end world number one ranking.
- Alcaraz attributes his loss to unforced errors and a lack of rhythm.
Unseeded Belgian player Zizou Bergs stunned seven-time Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz in the Shanghai Masters round of 32, defeating him 7-5 7-6(4) on Monday. The result also secured Alexander Zverev as the ATP’s year-end world number one.
Alcaraz, who had recently defended his Japan Open title and was returning from a wrist injury that sidelined him for nearly five months, struggled to find his rhythm in the two-hour, two-minute match.
Bergs, who had previously lost to Alcaraz in the last 16 of the Japan Open, showed no signs of intimidation and broke Alcaraz’s serve three times, outplaying the 23-year-old in key moments.
Alcaraz admitted he was below his best, stating, 'I didn’t play the way that I wanted to play. A lot of mistakes. I didn’t find a good position on the return.' He added, 'Obviously, credit to him. I would say he served really well.'
The upset also guaranteed Zverev, 29, the ATP’s year-end world number one ranking, making him the first German and the oldest first-time player to achieve the feat.
Zverev, who will face Kazakhstan’s 19th seed Alexander Bublik in the round of 16, expressed his satisfaction, saying, '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.'
The absence of five-time Grand Slam champion Jannik Sinner, who has not played since beating Zverev in the Wimbledon final due to a knee injury, also contributed to Zverev’s success.
Alcaraz, while disappointed with his performance, acknowledged the challenge, stating, 'The more experience you have practising against them and playing matches, the more it becomes the new standard a little bit. To have this moment, for me it is a little bit of a relief. I feel like now I really can win against these guys.'
I often have too much respect for these guys, which is part of my culture and I’m proud of that. But it gets a little bit in the way when you have to play them…
Zizou Bergs, Unseeded Belgian player
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…
Alexander Zverev, 29-year-old player
The more experience you have practising against them and playing matches, the more it becomes the new standard a little bit. To have this moment, for me it is a little bit of a relief. I feel like now I really can win against these guys…
Carlos Alcaraz, Seven-time Grand Slam champion
