Carlos Alcaraz beat Juan Manuel Cerundolo 6-3, 6-3 in just over an hour in his first match at the Shanghai Masters since 2024, stretching his winning run to seven. The second seed, moustache and all, now meets Zizou Bergs in the third round.
Shanghai, China: Carlos Alcaraz arrived in Shanghai with two days of preparation, a trophy from Tokyo still fresh and a new moustache. By his own account, the moustache was the result of a bet with his team, who agreed to grow matching ones if he won the Japan Open.
A slow start, then a change of plan
The start did not look like the work of a man on a six-match streak. Alcaraz said afterwards that he began poorly and struggled to find his rhythm on a very fast court, then switched to a more attacking game plan that he had not intended to use. The adjustment worked quickly. He broke for 4-2 in the first set with a backhand return winner down the line, then held to love three times in a row to take it.
Closing it out
Cerundolo, ranked 55th, lost the first service game of the second set when a drop shot found the net. Alcaraz needed two attempts to finish. He had two match points in the ninth game, Cerundolo saved the first after a half-volley clipped the net cord, and the second ended when a Cerundolo forehand flew long.
It was attacking tennis from a player who had spent months out injured before returning in Tokyo. He finished with 24 winners to Cerundolo’s eight.
Back in Shanghai after a missed year
Alcaraz missed last year’s tournament through injury, so this was his first match in Shanghai since 2024. The streak runs back through Tokyo, where he defended the Japan Open title against Jiri Lehecka, and Shanghai remains one of the Masters 1000 events he has yet to win, along with Canada and Paris. His run to the Tokyo final included a comeback from a set down against Jaume Munar.
Bergs next, Vacherot lurking
Next up is Bergs, who beat 32nd seed Ignacio Buse 6-0, 6-3 on Saturday, with the match scheduled for Monday. The road gets harder after that. Defending champion Valentin Vacherot beat Sebastian Baez 6-4, 7-6(5) and is a possible fourth-round opponent for the Spaniard.
Carlos Alcaraz (2) bt Juan Manuel Cerundolo 6-3, 6-3 (Rolex Shanghai Masters, second round | 10 October 2026)
Next: Third round v Zizou Bergs
