World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz of Spain reached the ATP Shanghai Masters round of 16 by beating Dan Evans 7-6, 6-4 on Monday, setting up his next round with Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria while extending his head-to-head record with the British veteran to 4-0.
"It was a really tough match. It was one of the toughest matches I have played outside of the Grand Slams," said Alcaraz after surviving a match of two hours and 25 minutes.
"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."
Carlos Alcaraz in action during ATP Shanghai Masters in Shanghai, China, October 9, 2023. /CFP
Alcaraz, 20, is looking to close out on the season as world No.1. If he reaches the title match in Shanghai, he will be able to surpass 24-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic of Serbia to retain the top spot. He is also eyeing his seventh tour-level title of the season as well as a third victory at Masters 1000 level.
Earlier, American Tommy Paul who fell short against Russian No.2 seed Daniil Medvedev at the China Open in Beijing, advanced to the round of 16 against Arthur Fils of France.
Diego Schwartzman of Argentina achieved a winning streak of three matches for the first time since May 2022 by upsetting World No. 8 Taylor Fritz of the U.S. 6-4, 3-6, 7-6(5), setting up his next round with Nicolas Jarry of Chile who rallied past Lorenzo Sonego of Italy.