Shanghai Masters 2026: Alcaraz beats Cerundolo in straight sets to enter third round

Spain's Carlos Alcaraz celebrates after winning his Shanghai Masters 2026 second-round match against Argentina's Juan Manuel Cerundolo. | Photo Credit: REUTERS

A moustached Carlos Alcaraz beat Juan Manuel Cerundolo 6-3, 6-3 to kick-start his title bid at the Shanghai Masters on Saturday, days after winning the Tokyo Open for his first trophy since returning from injury.

The Spanish star, seeded second, put on a dominant show to brush aside the 55th-ranked Argentinian in the second round in just 66 minutes.

“Really, really happy with the way I played today. It wasn’t easy,” said the 23-year-old former number one.

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“Just had two days of preparation... I came from Tokyo; there were totally different conditions. Just tried to play the best that I can,” he added.

Sporting a fresh moustache, Alcaraz signed a camera “Moustache Team” following his win. Asked by an on-court interviewer about the new look, Alcaraz said: “It’s gonna stay.”

He will play either Ignacio Buse or Zizou Bergs in the next round.