Zizou Bergs Stuns Carlos Alcaraz at Shanghai Masters, Zverev Secures Year-End No. 1

Belgian tennis player Zizou Bergs stunned second-seeded Carlos Alcaraz 7-5, 7-6 (4) in the third round of the Shanghai Masters on Monday, securing the biggest victory of his career and advancing to the fourth round. The defeat also confirmed Alexander Zverev as the year-end world No. 1.

Ranked 39th in the world, Bergs delivered an impressive performance against the Spanish star, hitting 24 winners and nine aces, compared with Alcaraz's 16 winners. He broke Alcaraz's serve three times, taking advantage of the fast court conditions to disrupt the second seed's rhythm.

Bergs claimed the opening set after breaking Alcaraz for a 6-5 lead and converting his fourth set point. In the second set, he again broke for a 6-5 advantage but failed to serve out the match. Alcaraz broke back and forced a tiebreak, recovering from 4-2 down to level the score at 4-4. However, Bergs regained control and converted his first match point with his ninth ace.

The victory marked Bergs' first win against Alcaraz in their second tour-level meeting. Alcaraz had won their previous encounter at the 2025 Japan Open.

Alcaraz arrived in Shanghai after winning the Japan Open the previous week. He had also been managing a wrist injury, which affected his preparation. The Spaniard struggled to find his rhythm during crucial moments, while Bergs maintained his composure and capitalised on key opportunities.

Bergs said the win gave him confidence that he could defeat top-ranked players rather than merely compete against them. He will face American Tommy Paul in the fourth round.

Meanwhile, Zverev became the first German to finish a season as ATP world No. 1. Fifth-seeded Daniil Medvedev defeated Dalibor Svrcina 6-2, 6-3, securing his second consecutive victory since his disqualification at the China Open for hitting a spectator in the eye with a ball.

Felix Auger-Aliassime beat Pablo Carreno Busta 6-3, 4-6, 6-1, while Stefanos Tsitsipas recovered from a set down to defeat 11th-seeded Taylor Fritz 3-6, 7-5, 6-3.