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Carlos Alcaraz<\/a>\u2019s 12-match winning streak was brought to an abrupt and unexpected halt at the Shanghai Masters<\/a> as the third-seeded Spaniard lost in straight sets to Czech Tomas Machac.<\/p>\nAlcaraz, who helped Europe win the Laver Cup last month before going all the way in the China Open<\/a> at the weekend as he defeated Jannik Sinner<\/a> in the final, lost 7-6 (5) 7-5 in one hour and 55 minutes.<\/p>\n<\/p>\nMachac, the 30th seed, is guaranteed his best result at Masters 1000 level after progressing to the semi-final, where he will meet world No 1 Sinner, who brushed aside Daniil Medvedev<\/a> 6-1 6-4.<\/p>\n\u201cI knew that the level of my tennis would be great because I am playing the best right now, for sure,\u201d Machac said in quotes on the ATP Tour<\/a> website.<\/p>\n\u201cWith these types of players, I have to play this level otherwise it\u2019s (a) 6-2, 6-3 (defeat and) you go home, there is no other option. I am happy I managed to play like this for two sets.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\n\n![\"Carlos](\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2024\/10\/10\/14\/10-542af44a3d8844ae90bcea9e33e3290f.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/div>Carlos Alcaraz lost in straight sets, ending a 12-match winning run (Andy Wong\/AP) (AP)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nMachac came into this quarter-final contest with confidence having been deadlocked with Alcaraz at one-set all in last month\u2019s Davis Cup, only to have to retire because of cramps.<\/a><\/p>\n\u201cI knew that I had a chance, but you never know, even with a set and 5-4 it\u2019s still so far from winning the match,\u201d Machac added.<\/p>\n
\u201cI played great tennis against him in the Davis Cup but there was this level (for) only one set. Today it was two, so it was enough.\u201d<\/p>\n
This election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.<\/p>\n
The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.<\/p>\n
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Carlos Alcaraz<\/a>\u2019s 12-match winning streak was brought to an abrupt and unexpected halt at the Shanghai Masters<\/a> as the third-seeded Spaniard lost in straight sets to Czech Tomas Machac.<\/p>\n Alcaraz, who helped Europe win the Laver Cup last month before going all the way in the China Open<\/a> at the weekend as he defeated Jannik Sinner<\/a> in the final, lost 7-6 (5) 7-5 in one hour and 55 minutes.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Machac, the 30th seed, is guaranteed his best result at Masters 1000 level after progressing to the semi-final, where he will meet world No 1 Sinner, who brushed aside Daniil Medvedev<\/a> 6-1 6-4.<\/p>\n \u201cI knew that the level of my tennis would be great because I am playing the best right now, for sure,\u201d Machac said in quotes on the ATP Tour<\/a> website.<\/p>\n \u201cWith these types of players, I have to play this level otherwise it\u2019s (a) 6-2, 6-3 (defeat and) you go home, there is no other option. I am happy I managed to play like this for two sets.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Machac came into this quarter-final contest with confidence having been deadlocked with Alcaraz at one-set all in last month\u2019s Davis Cup, only to have to retire because of cramps.<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cI knew that I had a chance, but you never know, even with a set and 5-4 it\u2019s still so far from winning the match,\u201d Machac added.<\/p>\n \u201cI played great tennis against him in the Davis Cup but there was this level (for) only one set. Today it was two, so it was enough.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>
![\"Jannik](\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2024\/10\/10\/14\/10-48cd849a21e0495fbe9ca1861503e8ab.jpg\")
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