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World no. 2 Carlos Alcaraz is through into the last 16 at the Shanghai Masters. Carlos struggled in the third-round duel against Daniel Evans, prevailing 7-6, 6-4 after two hours and 23 minutes and remaining on the title course.
Carlos won 16 points more than Daniel, but he had to work hard to earn the victory after missing his chances. The Briton gave his best against a two-time Major winner, defending 12 out of 15 break points and leading in both sets.
However, he failed to endure and take at least a set, converting two out of six break points and ending his run in the third round. The Spaniard fired 34 winners and 24 unforced errors, dominating with his forehand. Evans had more service winners, but it was not enough to keep him safe.
They stayed neck and neck in the shortest range up to four strokes, and Alcaraz earned the victory in the mid-range and most advanced exchanges. Daniel survived two break points in the encounter's first game, avoiding an early setback and stepping in on the return at 2-1.
Carlos Alcaraz battled past Daniel Evans in Shanghai.
Carlos sprayed a forehand error and got broken at love. The Briton had to dig deep to cement the lead, facing six break points in the fifth game! Evans survived all the obstacles, holding after almost 20 minutes and opening a 4-1 gap.
Alcaraz left those chances behind and pulled the break back in game seven after forcing the rival's mistake. Evans struggled behind the initial shot again in game nine, defending two break points and holding to remain on the positive side.
They served well in the remaining games, introducing a tie break. Carlos defended superbly in the first point and grabbed a mini-break after a forehand crosscourt winner. The young gun moved 3-0 in front with a service winner and delivered another mini-break in the fifth point following an incredible defense and the rival's smash error.
Alcaraz opened a 5-1 gap with an ace and created five set points with a booming forehand winner. Carlos painted another winner on the first, this time from a backhand return, wrapping up the opener after an hour and 27 minutes of grueling tennis.
They traded breaks in the second set's games three and four before Carlos survived four break points in game five, gaining a massive boost. They served well in the next four games, with the Spaniard opening a 5-4 lead with a hold at 15 in game nine after a service winner.
The Briton served to stay in the match in game ten and squandered a game point. Alcaraz attacked and forced Evans' lob error for a match point. Carlos converted it with a backhand down the line winner, celebrating an important win and entering the last 16.