Carlos Alcaraz was left frustrated after Zizou Bergs brought his seven-match winning streak to an end with a 7-5, 7-6(4) victory in the third round of the Rolex Shanghai Masters on Monday.
The No. 3 player in the PIF ATP Rankings, Alcaraz arrived in Shanghai having successfully defended his title in Tokyo last week, but he was unable to find his best tennis against the Belgian. Alcaraz acknowledged that Bergs deserved credit for his performance, while lamenting his own level at key moments of a closely contested match.
“Today it wasn't a good match from my side. I didn't play good. I would say it was a really bad level from me, and it was a really good level from him,” Alcaraz said. “Even like that, I think it was a close match. In a few important moments I didn't play my best.
“I could say there were a few moments that he was lucky as well, that's what I think. Some returns, some shots he hit with the frame went in, and he just went into the point again. He made the most of those moments because after that lucky shot, he played a really good point. He played at a really good level in some moments.”
Alcaraz's defeat comes during a season in which he has had to work his way back from a significant wrist injury, missing four-and-a-half months before returning at the US Open, where he reached the quarter-finals. The 23-year-old Spaniard had gathered momentum since his comeback, but Bergs made effective use of Shanghai's fast court conditions, repeatedly rushing the net to disrupt the Spaniard's rhythm and prevent him from building momentum.
Reflecting on the fine margins that went against him, Alcaraz admitted he had hoped for a change in fortune during the match but recognised that Bergs had capitalised on his opportunities.
“I was asking for a lucky toss in the match in some specific moments, but it didn't come,” Alcaraz said. “Tennis, it is what it is. Some moments he made the most of his chances, he took the chances, and that's it. All I can say right now is, I've got to be back home, I've got to be back to the practice court, trying to play better in the next tournament.”
Alcaraz will now turn his attention towards finishing the season strongly, with the Rolex Paris Masters in November his next scheduled tournament.
Despite Monday's loss, his results since returning from injury remain encouraging: He has won 11 of his 13 tour-level matches since his comeback, according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index.
While the immediate disappointment of his Shanghai exit makes it difficult to identify positives, Alcaraz believes reviewing his performances with his team will help him take valuable lessons into the final tournaments of the season.
“Taking the positive things from today is really difficult,” Alcaraz said. “Right now I [haven’t taken] them yet. So, I will try the next few days to think clearly. Right now, all the negative thoughts come to my mind and none of the positives. But I think I will take the good things about having matches.
“I can re-watch the matches with my coach, with my team. It's going to be really helpful for the next tournament. But just happy with the way that I'm playing lately, and obviously positive tournaments, the latest ones.”
