Grigor Dimitrov defeated Carlos Alcaraz with an outstanding performance in the Round of 16 at the ATP 1000 Rolex Shanghai Masters. The Bulgarian player overcame a three-set battle to with the match 5-7, 6-2, 6-4.

At the very beginning, it seemed as though Alcaraz could run away with the victory after Dimitrov double-faulted in his first service game and the top seed found himself with a break point. However, the World No. 19 was able to take it to a deuce and ultimately held his serve.

Dimitrov then shocked the top seed by securing an early break and held it until he found himself serving for the set. However, Alcaraz was able to fight back and suddenly had an answer for everything that his opponent was trying. As a result, he built up two break points and successfully broke back to level the set.

Although Dimitrov proceeded to lose the first set after being broken in his final service game, he likely felt encouraged by his performance and was subsequently able to dominate the second set, breaking Alcaraz in his first service game.

The Bulgarian played with strong first serves and great movement throughout to secure the double break before serving for the set again. He amassed two set points and successfully converted the first one to force a decider.

In the final set, Alcaraz came back fighting, winning his first service game 40-0. However, Dimitrov was able to carry the momentum on from the previous set and played with a lot of variation to get a break point at 1-1.

After Alcaraz hit the ball long, Dimitrov got the early break in the decider which proved to be crucial. Meanwhile, Alcaraz appeared increasingly frustrated as his 32-year-old opponent continued to hold until he could serve for the match.

The two-time Grand Slam champion never stopped fighting back and won an incredibly difficult rally in the final game of the match, but it was not enough to turn it around.

Indeed, Dimitrov soon found himself recording his first victory against the Spaniard out of the four times that they have played against each other.