Sports · Tennis · 9 hrs ago
Alcaraz loses to Bergs in Shanghai after struggling with unpredictable bounces
Carlos Alcaraz, the world’s third-ranked tennis player from Spain, lost to Belgium’s Zizou Bergs in the Shanghai Masters third round.
Bergs won 7-5, 7-6, ending Alcaraz’s tournament.
Alcaraz said he could not predict how the ball would bounce, which made it hard to prepare his shots.
He said he felt out of place and was disappointed with his level, while also praising Bergs’s strong play.
Bergs said he had noticed some unusual bounces, but that the court and balls were generally good.
Alcaraz has never gone beyond the quarterfinals in his three appearances at the Shanghai event.
He said he plans to return to training and focus on his next tournament, the Six Kings Slam, scheduled for October 21 to 24.
Carlos Alcaraz lost to Zizou Bergs in straight sets in the third round of the Shanghai Masters.
Alcaraz said the balls were behaving inconsistently and complained that he could not play well under the conditions.
He lost the first set 7-5 after being broken twice, then lost the second-set tie-break.
The defeat followed Alcaraz’s Japan Open title, which he had won for the second year in a row.
Alcaraz is scheduled to play at the Six Kings Slam from October 21 to 24.
- Who
- Carlos Alcaraz lost to Zizou Bergs.
- What
- Alcaraz was eliminated from the Shanghai Masters in the third round.
- When
- The articles were published on October 12, 2026; the match date is not stated.
- Where
- Shanghai, China.
- Why
- Alcaraz struggled with the conditions and complained that the balls behaved inconsistently. Tennis Head also said his errors contributed to the loss.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Alcaraz won the Japan Open title for the second year in a row.
Alcaraz began with a straight-sets win over Juan Manuel Cerundolo.
Alcaraz lost the first set 7-5 to Bergs and then lost the second-set tie-break.
Alcaraz is scheduled to play at the Six Kings Slam.
- Opponent
- Zizou Bergs
- Round
- Third round
- First set
- Bergs won 7-5
- Shanghai record
- 6 wins and 3 losses, according to Tennis365
- Next event
- Six Kings Slam, October 21–24
What people are saying
I don’t understand a thing. It can’t be that one ball bounces and the other slips on me. I can’t, man, I can’t play like this, man. Damn it!
You can’t play tennis by instinct.
The slice is disrupting your rhythm. Hit more topspin to the backhand side. If you have to miss, miss big. And target the body more with your second serves.
Keep going, give it a smack, damn it.
Sources
Alcaraz, tras caer con Bergs en Shanghái: "Es una de las derrotas que más me han dolido"
What Carlos Alcaraz was heard complaining about during his Shanghai Masters loss, ‘I can’t play like this’
What Carlos Alcaraz was heard yelling at his coach during Shanghai Masters loss to Zizou Bergs
Alcaraz y sus quejas por las condiciones de Shanghái: "Una bola me bota y la otra me desliza"
Related news
Zizou Bergs defeats Carlos Alcaraz to reach Shanghai Masters fourth round
Alexander Zverev secures 2026 year-end No. 1 ranking
Zheng Qinwen wins China Open for first title in two years
Zverev and Hewitt’s practice-court interaction goes viral
Alex de Minaur beats world No. 2 Alexander Zverev at Laver Cup
Zheng Qinwen and Mirra Andreeva withdraw from Wuhan Open
Alcaraz beats Cerundolo in Shanghai after debuting team moustache pact
Arthur Gea beats Ben Shelton in straight sets at Shanghai Masters
Zheng Qinwen reaches China Open final against Mirra Andreeva
UN rights office condemns racist abuse aimed at Coco Gauff
Zverev to finish 2026 as year-end world No 1 after Alcaraz’s Shanghai loss
