Carlos Alcaraz won his first match at the Shanghai Open, defeating Shang Juncheng of China in straight sets to record his tenth consecutive victory. Three days after his thrilling triumph over Jannik Sinner in the China Open title match, Alcaraz defeated Shang 6-2, 6-2 in an hour and seventeen minutes.
Early in the second set, Alcaraz made the shot of the match when he backtracked from the net and produced an incredible backhand flick to save a point.
Alcaraz’s 10th consecutive victory was completed by back-to-back breaks halfway through the second set. Following the match, he praised the play of his 19-year-old opponent.
Alcaraz said after the match: “I’m not used to playing against players younger than me. He has been playing good tennis lately, winning his first ATP title [in Chengdu], so I’m pretty sure he’s going to climb the rankings. At the net, he told me that it’s a pleasure to share the court with you. So these kinds of things that I hear from younger players, it’s great.”
After winning the Shanghai opening match, Alcaraz made a humorous sign for the camera.
He wrote that because he lost the US Open very early and players in Beijing were not signing autographs in front of cameras.
Carlos Alcaraz signs the camera after beating Shang in Shanghai:
“Long time I don’t sign the camera” 😂 pic.twitter.com/2GumBrgPLk
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) October 5, 2024
Alcaraz in Shanghai, ranking, and results in 2024
WWWWWWWWWW Ranked world no.2, the Spaniard has a compiled 49-9 record in 2024. Alcaraz is competing in Shanghai where he bested Unknown Player bye and the world no.51 Juncheng Shang 6-2 6-2.
Carlos Alcaraz will square off with the world no.357 Gabi Adrian Boitan in the . In the past, they have never competed against each other till now in top competitions.
The Spaniard clinched 4 titles in 2024 in Indian Wells, French Open, Wimbledon and Beijing. Carlos was the finalist in Paris (Olympics).
Carlos won 17 titles in his career: 5 on hard courts, 8 on clay courts, 1 on indoor courts and 3 on grass courts. (See the list of his titles)
He is also scheduled to play in Paris (Rolex Paris Masters). The main draw will start on the 28th of October.
