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“I Can’t Play Like This” – Carlos Alcaraz Vents Frustration Over Balls During Shocking Shanghai Masters Loss

Carlos Alcaraz’s bid for a second consecutive Shanghai Masters title ended in a stunning upset after he fell to rising Belgian star Zizou Bergs in the third round. The Spaniard, who entered the tournament as a favorite following his Tokyo victory and the early exits of Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner, struggled with uncharacteristic errors, particularly on his forehand.

Alcaraz, visibly frustrated, criticized the ball conditions during a break in play, calling them unpredictable and hindering his ability to rely on instinct. Despite his usual dominance, he lost in straight sets—5-7, 6-7(4-7)—as Bergs’ composed serve and clutch returns proved too much to overcome.

In his post-match remarks, Alcaraz acknowledged his poor performance, admitting he failed to deliver in key moments and even conceded some of Bergs’ returns were lucky bounces. The defeat drops Alcaraz into the final Masters 1000 event of the season, the Paris Masters, where he’ll look to rebound from the unexpected setback.

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