Alcaraz starts strong in Shanghai for his 10th straight victory

Carlos Alcaraz got off to a flying start at the at the Rolex Shanghai Masters in China on Saturday.

The 21-year-old Spaniard who defeated Jannik Sinner three days ago in a three-set epic to claim the Beijing title, picked up where he left off in Shanghai. The Spaniard earned his 10th consecutive win with a 6-2, 6-2 result against Chinese star Shang Juncheng.

“I’m not used to playing against players younger than me,” said the 21-year-old Alcaraz, two years Shang’s elder. “He has been playing good tennis lately, lifting his first ATP [title in Chengdu], so I’m pretty sure he’s going to climb the rankings. I’m just happy to to be able to win these kinds of matches.

“At the net he told me that it’s a pleasure share the court with you. So these kinds of things that I hear from [younger players], it’s great.”

Alcaraz will meet another Chinese star in the Shanghai third round, when he opens his Lexus ATP Head2Head series with Wu Yibing. The third seed has not lost since his shock second-round defeat to Botic van de Zandschulp at the US Open.

Having played just three matches on the North American hard-court swing across Cincinnati and New York, the Spaniard said he is feeling fresh for the home stretch of the ATP Tour season.