Tomas Machac stuns Carlos Alcaraz, reaches Shanghai SF | ATP Tour

Match Report

Machac stuns Alcaraz, reaches Shanghai SF

Czech to face Sinner for spot in maiden ATP Masters 1000 final

October 10, 2024

Tomas Machac put an end to Carlos Alcaraz’s 12-match winning streak in emphatic fashion on Thursday to reach the last four at the Rolex Shanghai Masters.

Competing in his third tour-level quarter-final, the No. 33 in the PIF ATP Rankings ignited some of his most blistering tennis to neutralise the threat of the World No. 2, prevailing 7-6(5), 7-5. In a match in which both players produced high-quality tennis, Machac found another gear to record his second win over a Top-5 opponent (Djokovic, Geneva SF).

“I knew that the level of my tennis would be great because I am playing the best right now, for sure,” said Machac. “I beat Tommy Paul [in my] last match with an unbelievable performance. With these types of players, I have to play this level otherwise it’s 6-2, 6-3 [and] you go home, there is no other option. I am happy I managed to play like this for two sets.

“I knew that I had a chance [to beat Alcaraz], but you never know, even with a set and 5-4 it’s still so far from winning the match. I played great tennis against him in the Davis Cup [in September], but there was this level [for] only one set. Today it was [for] two, so it was enough.”

Czech this out! 🤯

Machac downs Alcaraz to reach the semi-finals in Shanghai, where he will face Sinner!@SH_RolexMasters | #RolexShanghaiMasters pic.twitter.com/kabm9UMx6U

— ATP Tour (@atptour) October 10, 2024

Machac exuded confidence throughout the encounter, striking 20 winners in a high-quality first set. Alcaraz showed glimpses of his capabilities after he retrieved a break of serve in the second set, but the Czech found raised his level further surge to victory in one hour and 54 minutes.