Tennis: the Shanghai Masters
Shanghai: round of 16 · Wuhan under wayCarlos Alcaraz is out of Shanghai. The second seed lost 7–5, 7–6(4) on Monday to unseeded Belgian Zizou Bergs, who was broken serving for the match at 6–5 but won the tie-break. Bergs now plays Tommy Paul, while Daniil Medvedev meets Stefanos Tsitsipas, who beat Taylor Fritz 3–6, 7–5, 6–3. Novak Djokovic also lost earlier in the week.
Alexander Zverev meets Alexander Bublik today (Tuesday 13 October) in round four on Stadium Court. Zverev, the top seed, survived Quentin Halys on Sunday 6–4, 6–7(8), 6–3 for his 60th tour win of 2026, and Alcaraz's exit confirmed him as year-end world No 1 for the first time. Jannik Sinner is still ranked No 1 but has ended his season with a knee injury, so Zverev cannot pass him before 2 November at the earliest.
In Wuhan, the WTA 1000 is in its second round. Britain's Sonay Kartal beat Anhelina Kalinina 7–5, 6–3 and plays ninth seed Belinda Bencic, after Linda Noskova withdrew with a calf injury. Katie Boulter plays 11th seed Diana Shnaider today. Elena Rybakina and Coco Gauff are among the withdrawals. Both events finish on Sunday 18 October.
- Bergs beat Alcaraz 7–5, 7–6(4) (Mon 12 Oct); Bergs v Paul next
- Zverev v Bublik, round four, Tue 13 Oct (Stadium Court)
- Zverev guaranteed year-end No 1; Sinner still No 1 until 2 Nov at the earliest
- Shanghai and Wuhan finals: Sun 18 Oct
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If you're new to this
The men's tour has four levels. The four Grand Slams (Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, US Open) are on top, followed by nine Masters 1000 events including Shanghai, then smaller tournaments. The women's tour has the equivalent WTA 1000 events, including Wuhan.
A match is played in sets, and a set in games. Within a game, points go 15, 30, 40, then game, and at 40-40 (deuce) a player must win two points in a row. Most tour matches are the best of three sets, and Slams are the best of five for men. A tie-break, such as the 7–4 that ended Alcaraz's match, decides a set at 6–6.
Rankings are based on points won over the previous 52 weeks, so injuries hurt twice: a missed event means missed points and a falling ranking. Sinner and Alcaraz both missed long stretches of 2026, which is how Zverev, winner of the French Open and US Open this year, caught up.
Seeds are the best-ranked players, placed in the draw so they do not meet early. Unseeded players like Bergs (world No 39) beating a top seed is what makes early rounds exciting.