MATCH REPORT | 2024 Shanghai Masters: Carlos Alcaraz suffers a tough and unexpected defeat against Tomas Machac

On the same day that Rafa Nadal announced his retirement from tennis, Carlos Alcaraz has faced Tomas Machac in the quarterfinals of the Shanghai Masters 2024, where the Spaniard suffered a tough defeat.

The Czech defeated the world No. 2 by 6-7, 5-7. In the semifinals, Machac will face Jannik Sinner for a place in the ATP 1000 final.

In the first set, at 1-1, Alcaraz had the first break point of the match. However, Machac managed to overcome the disadvantage and keep his serve firm. The second break opportunity for the Murcian would come with 3-3 on the scoreboard, but like the previous one, he was not going to convert it either.

In this way, the score reached 4-4 and, with a hold, Machac put pressure on Carlitos to make it 4-5. Alcaraz also responded with forcefulness, and everything pointed to the fact that the set would have to be decided in the tie break. After the 5-6 of the Czech, the Spaniard did not fail with his serve either, and the set went to a tiebreak.

In the tie break, disaster struck for Carlos Alcaraz. After three mini breaks, Tomas Machac was 2-5 up in an unbeatable position to win the first set. Although the Spaniard cut it to 5-6, Machac pulled off a surprise and took the set 5-7 in the tiebreak.

In the second set, Carlos Alcaraz was forced to turn the score around. But things could not start worse for the Spaniard, who at 1-1 suffered the first break of the match, which Tomas Machac would then confirm to take a 1-3 lead with Carlitos on the ropes.

At 2-3, Alcaraz had a golden opportunity to return the tie to the scoreboard with a 0-40 that left him with 3 break points. Although the Murcian was not going to take advantage of any of them, nor of a fourth that came with his first advantage of the game, the fifth time would come the charm, and Carlitos was back in the match.

After that roller coaster, the second set would reach 5-5, with a new threat of tie break. However, here would come the hardest moment for Carlos Alcaraz, who suffered a second break in the worst possible situation. Tomas Machac was 5-6 up and serving to win the match. The Czech did not fail, closed the second set by 5-7, and eliminated Carlos Alcaraz in what is already a gloomy day for the Spanish tennis counting his defeat and the retirement of Rafael Nadal.

Machac will face Jannik Sinner for a place in the final of the Shanghai Masters 2024.