Carlos Alcaraz was knocked out in the third round of the Shanghai Masters by Zizou Bergs, a result that's the biggest win of Bergs's career. The Spaniard's defeat confirms Alexander Zverev as the year-end world No 1.
Bergs beat the second seed 7-5 7-6 (7-4), recovering in the second set after failing to serve out the match at 6-5. He converted three of his four break points and hit 24 winners to Alcaraz's 16. The world No 39 said he was struggling to take in the moment, adding that he now feels he can beat players he once simply competed against.
Alcaraz's exit, combined with current world No 1 Jannik Sinner ending his season early because of a knee problem that has kept him out since Wimbledon, means Zverev will finish 2026 at the top of the rankings. Zverev won the French Open and US Open this summer for his first major titles, calling the year "a dream come true" and noting his work to come back from an ankle injury.
Elsewhere, 2019 champion Daniil Medvedev beat qualifier Dalibor Svrcina in straight sets to reach the fourth round, where he will face Stefanos Tsitsipas. Tsitsipas upset 11th seed Taylor Fritz 3-6 7-5 6-3. At the Wuhan Open, Britain's Sonay Kartal beat top-50 player Anhelina Kalinina, continuing her comeback from a six-month absence caused by a stress fracture in her back.
Source: Sky Sports Champions League · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing