Carlos Alcaraz showed his growing confidence with a stunning shot at match point in the Shanghai Masters. The Wimbledon champion eased past Gregoire Barrere to reach the last-32 in China, continuing a fine year on the tour.
Alcaraz defeated Barrere 6-2 7-5 and despite a tougher second set, the Spaniard finished in style. Fans inside the stadium were left in awe at a shot in the final moments of the match.
Serving for the match, the 20-year-old’s serve was returned by Barrere. But the youngster confidently brought his racket behind his back and played an unorthodox shot back to his opponent.
He then won the point with Barrere attempting a lob that fell just behind the baseline. Fans were stunned by Alcaraz’s effort with an audible gasp clearly heard inside the stadium.
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The top seed moves into the final 32, having also reached the semi-finals in Beijing a week earlier. He was surprisingly beaten by Jannik Sinner at the China Open.
Alcaraz can return to the top of the ATP rankings by reaching the Shanghai Masters final this week. An intriguing battle with Novak Djokovic to finish as the year-end No 1 is wide open after the Serb’s impressive form.
Djokovic got revenge for Alcaraz’s win in their Wimbledon final bout by triumphing at the US Open in September. But Alcaraz has got the veteran in his sights as he bids to end the year as the world No 1 for the second time in a row.
He admits that he thinks about Djokovic each time he goes on the practice courts to ensure he catches the current top-ranked star.
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“I think [about Djokovic] almost in every practice, I am not going to lie. I train with a goal. I go to the tournaments with a goal. To try to end the year as No. 1,” Alcaraz said in China.
“Novak Djokovic is on my mind in almost every practice. I have to practise my best. I have to go for 100 per cent in every ball to be able to catch him.
“He is 100 per cent focused. I watch his practice, his movement and the way he plays and trains and it is something I want. He puts 100 per cent in every practice and game and it is something I am trying in my game.”
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