ALCARAZ IN 'CRAZY' LOSS TO MACHAC

Spaniard can’t believe opponent’s level after defeat scuppers rematch with Italian Sinner

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SHANGHAI - Tomas Machac put an end to world No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz's 12-match winning streak in emphatic fashion on Oct 10 with a 7-6 (7-5), 7-5 victory at the Shanghai Masters.

The 33rd ranked Czech edged out the four-time Grand Slam champion in a closely fought firstset tiebreak after neither player was able to break the opponent's serve.

Spain's Alcaraz appeared to be struggling at the beginning of the second set but broke in the sixth game to level.

However, Machac powered back and broke his opponent again in the 11th game to claim the shock quarter-final victory.

Alcaraz, 21, said he was "a little bit disappointed about today's loss".

"I really wanted to go further, to play against Jannik (Sinner), but that's tennis I guess. I just have to accept it," he said post-match.

"I felt like I was playing against top five his level was so high. It was unbelievable, it was crazy for me." Machac, meanwhile, said he had "no other option" when playing against Alzaraz.