Grigor Dimitrov has done the unthinkable by ousting Carlos Alcaraz from the Rolex Shanghai Masters. It was the Bulgarian’s biggest win of the season, as he played exceptionally well against the world number two. This defeat will be a heavy blow for Carlos, as it dashed his hopes of overtaking Novak Djokovic in the rankings race.
Alcaraz had a lot riding on his performance in China. He wanted to knock Djokovic from the top spot, but Dimitrov was the barrier he could not overcome. Grigor was at his peak, despite Alcaraz giving him a run for his money. The Bulgarian finally won the match 5-7, 6-2, 6-4.
As for Alcaraz, the disappointment continued in China. He has looked in splendid touch this entire year, but he has not been able to replicate his Wimbledon success. Carlos has made deep runs, but it has not been enough. He took to social media to announce, “We are going home!” after being knocked out in the fourth round.
t is not the result I wanted, but… we are going home! 🥲 Congratulations to @GrigorDimitrov for the win! 🤝🏻 Time to get ready for the final stage of the season!
📸 Getty pic.twitter.com/6v4XAMlftP
— Carlos Alcaraz (@carlosalcaraz) October 11, 2023
Alcaraz has been engaged in a battle for the top spot with Novak since last year. The Serbian had been breathing down Alcaraz’s neck for a while and finally overtook him when he outlasted Carlos at the US Open.
Following his defeat at the hands of Dimitrov, Carlos contemplated his chances of ending the year at the top. He added that given his recent failures, ending the year as the world number one might be difficult. However, Carlos is never one to back away from a fight, so he will try to win the next few tournaments.
Carlos Alcaraz says his goal of ending the year as world #1 will be difficult due to his recent results, but he will keep trying:
“I want to do my best in Basel, which will be my next tournament. I know that the goal of finishing number 1 this year has been very complicated for… pic.twitter.com/5PGPpf98Nu
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) October 11, 2023
Alcaraz’s failures have given Novak Djokovic an incredible boost in the ATP rankings this season. Carlos had a great chance to catch up to Novak, as the Serbian is not playing the Asian swing, but he could not capitalize on it.
Novak Djokovic is on course to remain at the top
Carlos was on a quest to win a few titles during the Asian swing, to bridge the scores between himself and Novak. His main aim was to finish the year as the world number one. Dimitrov halted Alcaraz’s mission, for now at least.
The loss to Dimitrov will be heavy for Carlos. He now sits 2,240 points behind Djokovic in the live ATP rankings. Unless he produces a masterclass, Novak will end the year as the top-ranked player, for the eighth time in his career.
With Alcaraz losing to Dimitrov in the Shanghai Masters R4 and considering both players’ schedules
It’s now sure Djokovic won’t be surpassed in the ATP Race before the Paris Masters, when he will be back to play his last events of the season
An 8th year-end #1 is on his racket pic.twitter.com/9QcfmDGIQD
— Mario Boccardi (@marioboc17) October 11, 2023
Djokovic skipped the tournaments in China, after a hectic year, which saw him win a record 24th Grand Slam title. Alcaraz had the golden chance to move ahead of him, but the Spaniard squandered away his chances.
Novak Djokovic was last seen in the Davis Cup, as he guided Serbia to victory. He is set to return for the Paris Masters and end the year with the ATP Finals in Turin.