Alcaraz beats Cerundolo 6-3, 6-3 at Shanghai Masters, extends win streak to 7
Synopsis
Carlos Alcaraz is on a roll — seven wins in a row and counting. Fresh from his Japan Open title, the Spaniard dismantled Cerundolo in just 66 minutes in Shanghai, winning the net battle convincingly. A first Shanghai Masters crown is now firmly in his sights, with Bergs and potentially defending champion Vacherot standing in the way.
Key Takeaways
Carlos Alcaraz defeated Juan Manuel Cerundolo 6-3, 6-3 in 66 minutes in the Shanghai Masters second round on 10 October .
The win extended Alcaraz's winning streak to seven matches , following his Japan Open title.
Alcaraz landed 24 winners and won 13 of 20 net points , far outpacing Cerundolo's 8 winners .
He had returned from a four-and-a-half-month wrist injury layoff starting April 2025 .
Next up: Zizou Bergs in the third round, with a potential fourth-round clash against defending champion Valentin Vacherot .
Shanghai Masters remains one of three Masters 1000 titles Alcaraz has yet to win, along with Canada and Paris .
Carlos Alcaraz cruised past Juan Manuel Cerundolo 6-3, 6-3 in the second round of the Shanghai Masters on Saturday, 10 October, advancing to the third round in just 66 minutes. The Spanish world No. 3 extended his ongoing winning streak to seven matches, riding the momentum from his recent Japan Open title.
Dominant Display at the Net
Alcaraz was ruthless throughout the contest, registering 24 winners and winning 13 of 20 net points — a stark contrast to Cerundolo's 8 winners and 5 of 7 net points. His ability to dictate from the front of the court proved decisive on the fast indoor surface in Shanghai.
The Spaniard also arrived at the tournament sporting a trimmed moustache, part of a playful team tradition following his Japan Open triumph. 'It's going to stay for the week,' Alcaraz said. 'I always wanted to step on court at least once with a moustache. Before Tokyo with the team, we said, "If I win the tournament, we all have to do the moustache and play Shanghai with it." We're having fun with it. It came to stay.'
How the Match Unfolded
Alcaraz acknowledged that his start was not seamless, as he worked to adapt to the conditions before shifting gears. 'It wasn't the plan at the beginning,' he said. 'I tried to be ready and get used to the conditions. The speed of the court is very fast, which I like. Thanks to that, I started not very well, not getting the rhythm. So I tried to do something different.'
Once he found his stride, the Argentine had no answer to Alcaraz's aggressive ball-striking and net presence.
Return from Injury and Recent Form
The Shanghai Masters is a significant milestone in Alcaraz's recovery arc. He had been sidelined for four and a half months following a wrist injury sustained in April 2025. On his comeback, he reached the quarterfinals at the US Open before falling to Ben Shelton, who subsequently lost to Alexander Zverev in the final. His Japan Open victory over Jiri Lehecka of Czechia marked his first title since the injury layoff.
Road Ahead in Shanghai
Alcaraz is now bidding to win his first Shanghai Masters title — one of three Masters 1000 events he has yet to claim, alongside Canada and Paris. He is scheduled to face Zizou Bergs in the third round, and could potentially meet defending Shanghai champion Valentin Vacherot in the fourth round if both progress.
Point of View
His 13-of-20 net points ratio against Cerundolo suggests no lasting deficit. The moustache aside, the most telling detail is his own admission that he 'started not very well' yet still closed out the match in 66 minutes — that is the hallmark of a player whose baseline quality is high enough to win matches before he even finds top gear. The Shanghai-Canada-Paris missing trifecta is a genuine narrative now, and this form makes the first of those three look achievable this week.
NationPress
10 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the score in Alcaraz vs Cerundolo at the Shanghai Masters?
Carlos Alcaraz defeated Juan Manuel Cerundolo 6-3, 6-3 in the second round of the Shanghai Masters on 10 October, completing the win in just 66 minutes.
How long is Carlos Alcaraz's current winning streak?
Alcaraz's win over Cerundolo extended his winning streak to seven consecutive matches. The run began following his return to form after a four-and-a-half-month wrist injury layoff.
What tournament did Alcaraz win before the Shanghai Masters?
Alcaraz won the Japan Open just before arriving in Shanghai, defeating Jiri Lehecka of Czechia in the final. It was his first title since sustaining a wrist injury in April 2025.
Who does Alcaraz play next at the Shanghai Masters?
Alcaraz is scheduled to face Zizou Bergs in the third round. If both players progress, he could meet defending Shanghai champion Valentin Vacherot in the fourth round.
Has Alcaraz ever won the Shanghai Masters?
No, the Shanghai Masters is one of three Masters 1000 titles Alcaraz has yet to win. The other two are the Canadian Open and the Paris Masters.
