BRUSSELS — Zizou Bergs has brushed off Carlos Alcaraz's suggestion he was "lucky" after the Belgian stunned the world No 3 7-5, 7-6(4) in the third round of the Shanghai Masters last week. The victory in Shanghai delivered the biggest win of the world No 41's career to date and his first against an opponent ranked inside the top three.
Alcaraz, the seven-time Grand Slam champion, was critical of his own display while praising Bergs' level, but also pointed to fortune on key points. "I didn't play good. I would say it was a really bad level for me, and it was a really good level from him," he said in his post-match press conference. "I could say there were a few moments that he was lucky as well, that's what I think. You know, some returns, some shots he hit it with the frame, it went in, and he just went into the point again. He made the most of those moments because after that, I would say, lucky shot, he played a really good point." Alcaraz added: "I was asking for a lucky toss, you know, in the match in some specific moments, but it didn't come. And I would say tennis, it is what it is. Some moments, he made the most of his chances, he took the chances, and that's it."
Speaking ahead of this week's ATP 250 tournament on home soil in Brussels, Bergs said he is "not too worried" about the remarks. "You should never take a player's words at a press conference literally. Sometimes the questions can be a bit manipulative," Bergs was quoted as saying by Belgian website DHnet. "I'm not too worried about these statements. What I remember is this superb victory, but also the others before challenging him. That gave me confidence." The 27-year-old added: "I am continuing my process, it's good to beat players of this calibre. I am building my career."
The upset was Bergs' third career win over a top 10 player, having lost his only previous meeting with Alcaraz at the 2025 Japan Open. His run in Shanghai ended in the following round with a 7-6(5), 6-4 defeat to Tommy Paul in the fourth round. Bergs will now open his Brussels campaign against world No 96 Toby Samuel.