Alcaraz out as Czech scores quarter-final KO

Carlos Alcaraz ran into trouble on Thursday in the form of Tomas Machac as the Czech put an end to Carlos Alcaraz’s 12-match winning streak in emphatic fashion on Thursday to reach the last four at the Rolex Shanghai Masters.

Machac, who turns 24 on Sunday’s finals day in China, earned a 7-6 (5), 7- upset in just under two hours; he claimed a second top five opponent after ousting Novak Djokovic in Geneva five months ago on clay.

Alcaraz was bidding for a second straight Chinese trophy after winning Beijing with a defeat of Jannik Sinner.

“I’m playing the best right now, for sure,” the winner said. “With these types of players, I have to play this level otherwise you go home, there is no other option.”

The Czech added: “I knew that I had a chance but you never know, even with a set and 5-4 it’s still so far from winning the match.”

Machac’s win was revenge for a loss he took to Alcaraz last month in Davis Cup play in Valencia when he had to retire.

“I played great tennis against him in the Davis Cup, but there was this level (for) only one set. Today it was two, so it was enough.”

Machac advanced into a semi-final with Sinner thanks to 20 winners 

After becoming the fourth lowest-ranked semi-finalist in Shanghai tournament history, Machac will bid to level his Lexus ATP Head2Head series with Sinner after falling to a 6-4, 6-2 defeat in the quarter-finals of the ATP Masters 1000 in Miami.

“I am looking forward to it,” Machac said of his upcoming clash with Sinner. “I am really enjoying it and am happy that I can play against the best [players].”