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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Sport
Luke Baker

Tennis star to end year as world No 1 after shock Carlos Alcaraz defeat

  • Carlos Alcaraz suffered a shock third-round defeat to world No 39 Zizou Bergs at the Shanghai Masters , losing 7-5 7-6 (4).
  • The Spaniard's loss guarantees that Alexander Zverev will finish 2026 as the men's year-end world No 1 for the first time in his career.
  • Zverev becomes the first German player to finish the year at top of the men's rankings and the oldest man to achieve the feat for the first time.
  • The landmark ranking caps off a successful season for Zverev, following his grand slam victories at the French Open and US Open.
  • Belgian star Bergs celebrated the biggest win of his career, while Stefanos Tsitsipas also progressed after coming from behind to beat Taylor Fritz.

IN FULL

Shock Carlos Alcaraz defeat sees Alexander Zverev make history as year-end world No 1

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