Zizou Bergs Stuns Alcaraz at Shanghai Masters

Belgian tennis player Zizou Bergs eliminated second-seeded Carlos Alcaraz from the Shanghai Masters on Monday, October 12, 2026, winning 7-5, 7-6 (7/4) in the third round. The world No. 39 defeated the Spanish star in straight sets, ending Alcaraz's return to the professional Tour following months away because of injury.

The victory marked the tournament's biggest upset so far, according to the source report from Yahoo Sports. Bergs, 27, advanced to the next round, where he will face either Tommy Paul or Valentin Vacherot.

Alcaraz initially appeared sharper but lost momentum after Bergs broke his serve to take a 3-2 lead in the opening set. The 23-year-old Spaniard recovered the break in the following game but continued to miss shots, including several that landed in the net.

A double fault gave Bergs a crucial break-point opportunity in the 11th game. Alcaraz then lost the set after hitting a short volley, leaving the Belgian one set away from victory.

The second set brought further frustration for Alcaraz, who reacted toward his coaching corner after a series of unforced errors. He failed to score a point in both the fourth and eighth games, according to the match report.

Alcaraz managed to force a tiebreak but could not extend the match to a third set. Bergs sealed the win on his first match point shortly after the contest passed the two-hour mark.

Reflecting on the upset, Bergs described his immediate reaction as difficult to process.

"It's a little disbelief and not feeling too much," Bergs said after the match.

The Belgian explained that his attention remained on executing each point rather than dwelling on the significance of the result.

"You're just really in the moment, being focused on the points you have to play," Bergs added.

Bergs also expressed his anticipation of appreciating the achievement after the match.

"I'll be very happy," Bergs said.

Elsewhere in the Shanghai Masters draw, Stefanos Tsitsipas recovered from losing the opening set to defeat Taylor Fritz 3-6, 7-5, 6-3. The Greek player, ranked No. 43 in the world, secured a fourth-round meeting with Daniil Medvedev.

Medvedev advanced after beating qualifier Dalibor Svrcina 6-2, 6-3. Tsitsipas's match against Fritz included an unusual interruption when a tennis ball fell from the American's pocket for a second time, forcing the players to replay a match point.

Fritz, the tournament's 11th seed, continued briefly after saving the eighth game but could not prevent Tsitsipas from closing out the match. The Greek eventually secured victory on his fifth attempt while serving to finish the contest.

Tsitsipas acknowledged his own difficulties during the match before highlighting his improvement late in the contest.

"I could have done a few things easier, but I ended up being my biggest enemy," Tsitsipas told the crowd after the match.

He then described how he regained his composure and improved his performance as the match progressed.

"I turned things around really well towards the end and became friends with myself and played some incredible tennis," Tsitsipas said.

Felix Auger-Aliassime, Casper Ruud and Rafael Jodar also advanced to the last 16 at the Shanghai Masters.