Just as he did at the U.S. Open, Dan Evans threw the kitchen sink at Carlos Alcaraz in round three of the Rolex Shanghai Masters on Monday. Once again, Alcaraz had the answer.
The second-ranked Spaniard held off Evans 7-6(1), 6-4 after two hours and 23 minutes of tennis that was complete with one amazing point after another. Alcaraz improved to 4-0 lifetime in the head-to-head series, but the last two haven’t been easy–including 6-2, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 victory during third-round action at Flushing Meadows this summer.
“It was a really tough match,” Alcaraz assured following his Shanghai success. “It was one of the toughest matches I have played outside of the Grand Slams. Every time I play Daniel it is a tricky match and I have to play my best to beat him…. Both of us played a high quality of tennis and I am really happy to get through.”
The 20-year-old is joined in the last 16 by Ugo Humbert, who upset Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-4, 3-6, 7-5.
“I’m so happy,” the Frenchman said. “It’s a big win against Tsitsipas, a top-10 player. Last week I beat (Andrey) Rublev, so I feel a lot of confidence on court and I’m very proud that I won this match. I’m just enjoying playing tennis; it’s a big passion for me. It’s all the work during all the year. Since Davis Cup I’ve played really great tennis and I’m very happy to play like this.”
On Wednesday it will be Alcaraz vs. Dimitrov and Humbert vs. J.J. Wolf.
nice one, Ugo