Alcaraz loses in Shanghai as Zverev confirmed year-end world No 1

Summarised from 4 outlets · Updated 12 Oct, 14:38 · Archive

Carlos Alcaraz was knocked out of the Shanghai Masters by Zizou Bergs, confirming Alexander Zverev as the year-end world No 1.

Carlos Alcaraz was knocked out of the Shanghai Masters in the third round by Zizou Bergs, who won 7-5, 7-6 (7-4). The victory completed Bergs' recovery after failing to serve out the match at 6-5 in the second set, which he won in a tie-break.

Alcaraz's defeat, combined with world No 1 Jannik Sinner withdrawing from the tournament due to a knee problem that has sidelined him since Wimbledon, confirms Alexander Zverev as year-end world No 1. Zverev becomes the first German to achieve the feat. According to the Independent, he will also be the oldest man to finish the year at No 1 for the first time, at 29 years and 217 days on the year-end ranking date of 23 November.

Zverev, who won the French Open and US Open this year for his maiden major titles, said the achievement was 'a dream come true'. He added: 'So much work and effort have been put into achieving this goal, especially after coming back from the ankle injury.'

How it is being reported

• Zizou Bergs stuns Alcaraz in Shanghai as Zverev claims year-end top rankingAfter defending his Japan Open title after returning from injury, Alcaraz never found his rhythm in a scrappy contest.Al Jazeera · 12 Oct, 15:14
• Zverev secures number one ranking as Alcaraz losesAlexander Zverev is guaranteed to finish his transformational 2026 season as the world number one after Carlos Alcaraz suffers a surprise defeat in Shanghai.BBC News · 12 Oct, 14:57
• Shock Carlos Alcaraz defeat sees Alexander Zverev make history as year-end world No 1Zverev becomes the first German to be year-end No 1 on the men’s rankings, and the oldest man to accomplish the feat for the first time, after Zizou Bergs downed Alcaraz in ShanghaiIndependent Sport · 12 Oct, 14:17
• Alcaraz dumped out of Shanghai Masters as Zverev confirmed as year-end No 1Carlos Alcaraz was dumped out in the third round of the Shanghai Masters as Zizou Bergs recorded the biggest win of his career, with the Spaniard's defeat confirming Alexander Zverev as the year-end world No 1.Sky Sports · 12 Oct, 14:06

In this story: Carlos Alcaraz · Zizou Bergs · Alexander Zverev · Jannik Sinner · Shanghai Masters

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem