Alcaraz Advances Past Evans; Tsitsipas, Fritz Fall In Shanghai; Sinner v Shelton Tues.

Carlos Alcaraz survived a spirited, entertaining test from Dan Evans 7-6(7-1), 6-4 in third round play Monday at the Shanghai Masters.

Alcaraz was just 1-of-13 in the first set on break chances as Evans led early 3-1. In the second, Evans again took the early break lead before Alcaraz broke twice to take the win, his fourth straight over the Brit.

“It was a really tough match. It was one of the toughest matches I have played outside of the Grand Slams,” Alcaraz said to the ATP. “Every time I play Daniel it is a tricky match and I have to play my best to beat him.

“Both of us played a high quality of tennis and I am really happy to get through.”

Evans is now 1-14 against Top 5 players. Alcaraz will now face Grigor Dimitrov in the fourth round on Wednesday. Dimitrov downed No. 13 seed Karen Khachanov 7-6(8-6), 6-4.

Two more seeds fell.

Stefanos Tsitsipas struggles continued. The Greek now has just four wins in his last 10 after losing to 32nd-seeded Ugo Humbert 6-4, 3-6, 7-5. The Frenchman broke Tsitsipas to win the match in the third.

The Greek lost one point on serve in the second (had eight total love holds in the match), but could match the form in the decider.

The 25-year-old Humbert improves to 4-3 against Top 5 players and 3-1 against Tsitsipas.

“I’m so happy. It’s a big win against Tsitsipas, a Top 10 player,” Humbert said. “Last week I beat Rublev so I feel a lot of confidence on court and I’m very proud that I won this match.

“I’m just enjoying playing tennis. It’s a big passion for me. It’s all the work during all the year. Since Davis Cup I’ve played really great tennis and I’m very happy to play like this.”

American No. 1 Taylor Fritz also fell going down to veteran Diego Schwartzman 6-4, 3-6, 7-6(7-5). The 22nd-seeded Nicolas Jarry got over on Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego 7-6(7-4), 6-2. J.J. Wolf had to fight off Matteo Arnaldi 2-6, 6-3, 7-6(7-4). No. 5 seed Andrey Rublev eased past No. 31 seed Adrian Mannarino 6-3, 6-0 and No. 12 seed Tommy Paul had to fought off Arthur Fils 6-4, 6-7(7-9), 6-4

On Tuesday, the fourth round opens with No. 6 Jannik Sinner colliding with No. 19 Ben Shelton in a first-time meeting. Shelton just turned 21 on Monday.

Also No. 16 Hubert Hurkacz clashes with China’s hope Zhang Zhizhen. Casper Ruud takes on Fabian Marozsan and Sebastian Korda faces Francisco Cerundolo.

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