Tomas Machac denied a rematch between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner as he sailed into his third ATP Tour level semi-final.
Well, that’s a turn up for the books – A stunning Tomas Machac performance has dumped Carlos Alcaraz out of the Shanghai Masters, ending his 12-match winning streak.
The Czech started diligently, biding his time and growing into the opener, forcing a tie-break. Much like their Davis Cup clash last month, Alcaraz failed to take his chance, losing 7-5.
An ailing Machac couldn’t maintain his level in Valencia, losing the second set before eventually retiring.
However, learning from that experience, the 23-year-old surged to an early break in the second, before a brief Alcaraz fightback took the set to 5-5.
A supreme and gusty Machac took the initiative and snatched away any hope of a third set for Alcaraz, decisively breaking to notch up his second win against a top five opponent this year.
Tomas Machac insists he knew he had a chance against Carlos Alcaraz
Machac admitted he was optimistic ahead of the Alcaraz clash, suggesting that he was ready for the challenge.
Clearly, he was right. Some vicious and patient ball-striking limited Alcaraz to play slightly within himself at times – something many players struggle to do against the Spaniard.
After the incredible win, a still-astonished Machac said: “Well I was playing unbelievable. I knew my level of tennis today would be great because I’m playing the best of my career right now for sure.
“I beat Tommy Paul last match with an unbelievable performance. With these kind of players, I have to play this level. Otherwise it’s 6-2 6-3 and you go home. There’s no other option.”
Quizzed on whether he even doubted himself, he replied with a slight smirk: “Actually I knew I had a chance. But you never know. With players like him, if you have a set and are serving at 5-4, it’s really far from winning the match.
“I played him at Davis Cup and I only managed to play this kind of level for just one set. Today was two. Enough!”
After wins over Novak Djokovic – in the Geneva semi-finals – and now Alcaraz this year, Machac has checked off two of the current three best.
Conveniently he has the opportunity to make it a hat-trick, with world number one Jannik Sinner waiting in the next round.
In anticipation for their second career clash, Machac has again remained optimistic, admitting that he’s relishing the opportunity to go toe-to-toe with those at the top.
“I’m looking forward to that. I am really enjoying being in the semifinals and I’m happy I can play against the best players.”
Tomas Machac set to receive major rankings boost with Shanghai semi-final appearance
The 23-year-old, who celebrates his birthday in three days, is searching for the ultimate present to himself.
With this latest run in Shanghai, the Czech moves up to a provisional career-high ranking of 25.
If he was to win the whole event, Machac would move into the top 20 for the first time. Having played Jannik Sinner just once, losing in straight sets, the 23-year-old will feel he has a decent chance.
After all, Sinner lost to Alcaraz in Beijing just over a week ago in three long sets. Despite the Italian looking rather unflappable, there’s no time like the present for someone to disturb him.
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