Zizou Bergs Stuns Carlos Alcaraz at Shanghai Masters

In a surprising turn of events at the Shanghai Masters, Zizou Bergs defeated second seed Carlos Alcaraz in straight sets, marking a significant milestone in his career. Ranked No. 39, Bergs showcased his talent on the fast courts, breaking Alcaraz's serve multiple times. This victory not only boosts Bergs' confidence but also ensures Alexander Zverev will finish 2026 as the ATP Year-End No. 1. As he prepares to face Tommy Paul in the fourth round, Bergs reflects on overcoming his respect for top players and believes he can now win against them. Read on to discover more about this thrilling match and its implications.

By Narendra Chaudhary Oct 13, 2026, 00:18 IST

Bergs Achieves Upset Victory

Shanghai [China], October 12 (News Media): In a remarkable turn of events at the Shanghai Masters, Zizou Bergs triumphed over second seed Carlos Alcaraz in straight sets, securing his spot in the fourth round of the ATP Masters 1000 tournament.

Currently ranked No. 39 in the PIF ATP Rankings, Bergs delivered a stunning performance against the World No. 3, winning 7-5, 7-6(4) at the Qizhong Forest Sports City Arena. The Belgian showcased his skills on the fast court, breaking Alcaraz's serve three times, marking the most significant victory of his career based on ATP rankings.

Reflecting on his achievement, Bergs stated, “This has been quite challenging for me. I often find myself overly respectful towards these players, which is a part of my upbringing that I cherish. However, it can hinder my performance when facing them. Last year, I had a memorable match against [Novak] Djokovic, where I was more focused on the name than the player.”

He further added, “With more experience from practice and matches, I’m starting to see these players as the new standard. This moment feels like a relief; I now believe I can not only compete with them but also secure victories.”

Bergs' victory, which lasted two hours and three minutes, also guarantees that Alexander Zverev will conclude 2026 as the ATP Year-End No. 1, making him the first German to achieve this honor.

Having reached his first Masters 1000 quarter-final in Shanghai last year, Bergs aims to replicate that success as he prepares to face Tommy Paul in the fourth round of this year's tournament.