Alcaraz Opens Shanghai Campaign with Straight-Sets Win
Carlos Alcaraz, the world No 3, defeated Juan Manuel Cerundolo 6-3 6-3 on Saturday to reach the third round of the Shanghai Masters. The 66-minute match saw Alcaraz repeatedly move forward, using the quick court conditions to pressure his opponent. The victory extended his winning streak to seven matches, following his successful title defence in Tokyo. Alcaraz sported a freshly trimmed moustache, which he said would remain for the week.[S1][S2][S3][S4][S5][S6][S7]
Cerundolo, who had upset Jannik Sinner in five sets at Roland Garros earlier this year, was aiming to become the first player since Andrey Rublev in 2024 to defeat both Sinner and Alcaraz in the same season. Alcaraz, however, maintained his attacking approach throughout. He explained that the moustache was part of a team agreement: if he won in Tokyo, everyone would keep it for Shanghai.[S1]
Medvedev Advances in First Match Since Disqualification
Daniil Medvedev won his first match since being disqualified at the China Open for hitting a spectator in the eye with a ball. He beat Jan-Lennard Struff 4-6 6-4 6-3 to reach the third round, improving his career record against Struff to 10-2. Medvedev was disqualified during his semi-final against Novak Djokovic in Beijing and later apologised, calling the incident an accident. He lost the $285,000 prize money he would have received for reaching the semi-finals.[S1]
In other second-round action on Saturday, fourth-seeded Felix Auger-Aliassime defeated Camilo Ugo Carabelli 4-6 7-6 (7-1) 7-5. Meanwhile, top seed Jannik Sinner withdrew from the tournament after announcing he would take the rest of 2026 off due to a right knee injury.[S1]
Andreeva Sets Up China Open Final Against Zheng
Mirra Andreeva secured her 50th match win of the season by defeating Nikola Bartunkova 6-2 6-2 to reach the China Open final. The French Open champion will face home favourite Qinwen Zheng on Sunday, after Zheng beat Elise Mertens 7-5 6-2. Andreeva, ranked world No 5, is set to move up two spots in next week's rankings. Her 50th win puts her level with Jessica Pegula for most on tour this season, according to the WTA.[S1][S2]
The 19-year-old Andreeva had previously defeated Bartunkova, a 20-year-old Czech ranked world No 34, in the third round of the US Open in their only other meeting. The final in Beijing will be Andreeva's second of the year against a top opponent, following her title run at Roland Garros.[S1]
