Shanghai Masters 2023: Carlos Alcaraz powers past Gregoire Barrere, Jannik Sinner overcomes Marcos Giron
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Published 07/10/2023 at 14:57 GMT
Carlos Alcaraz progressed past Gregoire Barrere with relative ease to book his place in round three of the Shanghai Masters. The first set was a straightforward affair for the Spaniard, before the world No. 73 responded well in the second to make the tie more evenly contested. However, it did not stop Alcaraz's progress, as the two-time Grand Slam champion won in straight sets.
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Carlos Alcaraz battled his way past Gregoire Barrere in straight sets, 6-2 7-5, to reach the Shanghai Masters second round.
The world No. 2 began the match in rampant fashion after immediately breaking he Frenchman's serve, and doing so again, racing into a 4-0 lead.
Alcaraz saved three break-point opportunities in that time, and snuffed out three more to extend his advantage to 5-1, moving within touching distance of drawing first blood in the contest.
The Spaniard wrapped up the opener on his first set point to prevail 6-2, and looked to be motoring towards victory.
Barrere showed impressive resolve to make the second set a closer affair, with no more break opportunities in the opening six games.
However, the Frenchman’s resistance was ultimately ended when he was broken in the seventh game - only to respond immediately and break back.
Alcaraz would move 6-5 ahead on Barrere’s serve on his second break point, and would comfortably serve out the match with a hold to 15.
Speaking afterwards, he said in quotes published by the ATPTour website: “I had just one practice here in Shanghai and then the match.
"I think he was more used to these conditions. He had more practice, a match in the bag, so it was really difficult to adapt my game in a new city, new conditions, but I think I did pretty well.
“I played really focused, I tried to take lessons from the last match in Beijing and tried to be a better player. I tried to not make the mistakes I did in Beijing and I think today I did pretty well.”
Alcaraz will now turn his attention to match against Brit Daniel Evans or Mikhail Kukushkin in round three.
Elsewhere, world No. 4 Jannik Sinner overcame the American Marcos Giron 7-6(7) 6-2, and ensured a place in this year's ATP Finals.
He will play the Argentine Sebastian Baez in round three.
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