Juan Manuel Cerúndolo defeated Colombia’s Nicolás Mejía in straight sets at the opening round of the Shanghai Masters 1000, advancing to a second-round match against world number three Carlos Alcaraz, La Nación reported. Competing on the hard courts of the Qi Zhong Tennis Center, the left-handed Argentine secured a 6-4, 6-4 victory in one hour and twenty-two minutes.
Opening Round Victory Sets Up Alcaraz Clash
Juan Manuel Cerúndolo earned his tenth career victory at the Masters 1000 level and his first-ever main-draw win in Shanghai by defeating Nicolás Mejía 6-4, 6-4, according to match statistics reported by La Nación. The 24-year-old Argentine, ranked 55th in the ATP world rankings, overcame an early break in the opening set to control the baseline exchanges. La Nación noted that Cerúndolo hit five aces, did not commit any double faults, won 84 percent of his first-serve points, and broke Mejía’s serve four times from seven opportunities. Canal Tenis reported that Mejía, ranked 119th and coming through the qualifying rounds, broke immediately at the start of the match to take a 2-0 lead before Cerúndolo leveled in the third game and seized the opening set in the ninth game. Match Tenis added that Mejía earned a break point in the tenth game of the second set but failed to convert, sealing his exit as Cerúndolo converted his fourth match point.
Perfil reported that the victory briefly lifted Cerúndolo to 52nd in the live rankings. The triumph sets up a marquee second-round encounter against Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz. TyC Sports confirmed that the two players previously met only once, during the round-robin stage of the Next Gen ATP Finals in Milan in late 2021, where Alcaraz won in four sets.
Broader Argentine Campaign in Shanghai
While Cerúndolo advanced, fellow Argentine Sebastián Báez ended a four-match losing streak by defeating American Marcos Girón 1-6, 6-3, 6-4 in one hour and fifty-six minutes, according to La Nación.
Alcaraz Returns Following Wrist Recovery
Carlos Alcaraz arrives in Shanghai following a four-month absence earlier in the season due to a right wrist injury, maintaining an upward trajectory that included a run to the US Open quarterfinals, participation in the Laver Cup exhibition, and a title win at the ATP 500 in Tokyo. In remarks reported by La Nación, Alcaraz assessed his current form ahead of the tournament: “I feel mentally fresh, that is the most important thing.” Alcaraz has never advanced past the quarterfinals at the Shanghai Masters. Speaking about his upcoming opponent in press remarks reported by TyC Sports, Alcaraz noted that both Cerúndolo and Mejía possess strong baseline rhythms and anticipated an interesting tournament opener.
Cerúndolo Faces Alcaraz at Shanghai Masters
Juan Manuel Cerúndolo will face Carlos Alcaraz on Saturday, October 8, at the Shanghai Masters.
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