The Spaniard came into the match as the heavy favourite. Alcaraz had not lost a match since the US Open and lifted his 16th career title in Beijing days before beginning his Shanghai Masters campaign.
The four-time Major champion had also beaten Machac by retirement at the Davis Cup last month when the score was all square at 6-7(3) 6-1. But the Czech star finished what he started when they faced off in Shanghai, beating Alcaraz 7-6(5) 7-5.
The world No. 2 was full of praise for his opponent after the match. He took to social media to share a message in defeat. “Congratulations @tomas_machac! Well played today,” Alcaraz wrote in an Instagram story.
“I am disappointed to lose, but happy with a great Asian swing!”
Machac was quick to reply, reposting the story and adding his own message for Alcaraz as he apologised for beating the 21-year-old. “Thank you. Sorry for my level today,” the world No. 33 wrote.
Alcaraz himself had been taken aback by his opponent’s level. After coming off the court, he said: “Well, I feel like I was playing against a top five player, not even top 10, no, top five, his level, it was so high.
“I thought that he was going to give me an opportunity, a window, but he didn’t. I mean, since the first game until the last one, his level was so high. His ball speed, it was unbelievable.”
“So, I feel good. Honestly, I felt good on the court, I feel really well the ball, I was hitting well, I was moving well. But, honestly, at some point, I didn’t know what to do. Honestly, it was one of those matches that it was insane that I couldn’t play to his forehand.
“I mean, every time that he was hitting his forehand it was a winner, or the next ball is going to, he was going to hit a winner again. It was unbelievable, it was crazy for me.”
The 16-time title winner isn’t the only one who has been left helpless against Machac this week. The 30th seed beat Tommy Paul in the round of 16, and during the match, the American could be heard telling his team that Machac should be in the top five.
When they shook hands at the net, Paul told his opponent to go and win the title. But Machac has a huge test ahead if he wants to do just that. The Czech ace faces world No. 1 Jannik Sinner in the semi-final.
Content Source: www.express.co.uk