Since he’s become a pro, Carlos Alcaraz has demonstrated excellence on all surfaces. Already the youngest man to win Grand Slam titles on all three surfaces, the Spaniard has spent the last few weeks honing his hard court chops – to great effect.
On Sunday Alcaraz took out Wu Yibing 7-6(5), 6-3 to record his 100th hard court win. The 21-year-old is now 100-31 on the surface, and he also records his 50th win of 2024 to boot (50-9).
His win over the talented Wu was by no means easy.
Alcaraz was pushed by the former World No.54 (currently 560 after missing significant time due to injuries, including foot surgery), and had to produce exceptional tennis to secure safe passage into the round of 16 at Shanghai.
“I don’t want to say I was surprised, but it was the first time I was playing against him. He just beat [Nicolas] Jarry really easily, 6-2, 6-2, so that’s impressive,” Alcaraz said. “I had to be focused on playing my best. I’m not used to feeling the feelings I had on the court. He is a really powerful player, plays really strong.”
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Alcaraz trailed 3-1 in the opening set tiebreak, but won six of eight points to take the lead.
He never faced a break point in the second set and broke critically for 4-2. Alcaraz served out the match, converting his second match point to wrap up the victory in one hour and 40 minutes.
Alcaraz, fresh off a win over Jannik Sinner in the Beijing final, where he claimed his fourth title of 2024, will face either Gael Monfils or Ugo Humbert in the round of 16 at Shanghai.
“I felt like I was not dominating the game. I’m not used to feeling that. He’s level is impressive,” Alcaraz added of Wu, who became the first Chinese to claim an ATP title at Dallas last year.
Alcaraz stretches his current winning streak to 11 victories with the win – he is one of three ATP players to have logged 50 wins in 2024, along with Sinner (60) and Alexander Zverev (58).
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