(Video) Carlos Alcaraz hits an outrageous ‘backwards facing shot’ against Juncheng Shang at Shanghai Masters 2024
Fresh from his China Open win, Carlos Alcaraz took on Juncheng Shang in his first match at the 2024 Shanghai Masters on Saturday.
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Carlos Alcaraz hits outrageous shot against JC Shang at Shanghai Masters (Images via Open Source X)
Spanish tennis ace Carlos Alcaraz is on a roll. After clinching the title at the China Open by defeating World No.1 Jannik Sinner, Alcaraz kicked off his campaign at the 2024 Shanghai Masters with an emphatic win over Juncheng Shang.
The Spaniard beat his opponent 6-2, 6-2 in the second round on Saturday. During the match, Alcaraz also played an outrageous shot that left everyone in awe.
Known for his athleticism and skillset, Alcaraz exhibited a great presence of mind to perfectly pull off a backward-facing shot. During the second set, Alcaraz served at 15-15. Shang managed a double backhand return while Alcaraz sent a thunderous forehand in response. The Chinese player then got his racket to the ball, and it lobbed up.
As the ball flew over Alcaraz’s head, it seemed that the Spaniard might miss the shot. However, the 21-year-old showed his presence of mind as he let the ball bounce and ran with it. As the ball was about to touch the ground for the second time, Alcaraz quickly played a backward-facing shot and managed to send the ball over the net.
Carlos Alcaraz hits an unreal shot against JC Shang in Shanghai.
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) October 5, 2024
Backwards facing shot to keep the point alive.
Dazzled his way back into the point.
Ridiculous. ?
pic.twitter.com/8KxyxYgAaG
Despite not having sight of the net and his opponent, the Spaniard perfectly landed his shot and kept the point alive. Eventually, Alcaraz won that point after a couple of more rallies.
Carlos Alcaraz claims his 10th straight win
Ever since returning after the US Open debacle (a second-round exit), Carlos Alcaraz looks like a man on a mission. The Spaniard straightaway won the title for Team Europe at the 2024 Laver Cup.
He then secured a title for himself at the China Open and now, the World No.2 registered his 10th straight win as he beat Juncheng Shang.
Although it was a clean victory for Alcaraz, the Spaniard praised his opponent, hoping for him to climb the rankings. Alcaraz was also intrigued by getting to play as a senior against Shang, who is two years younger than him.
I’m not used to playing against players younger than me. He has been playing good tennis lately, lifting his first ATP [title in Chengdu], so I’m pretty sure he’s going to climb the rankings. I’m just happy to be able to win these kinds of matches. At the net, he told me that it’s a pleasure share the court with you. So these kinds of things that I hear from [younger players], it’s great.
Carlos Alcaraz said in his on-court interview. (H/T: ATP Tour)
Alcaraz will meet another Chinese star in the Shanghai third round, where he will lock horns with Wu Yibing. This will be the first meeting on the tour between the two players.
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Ritesh Pathak
(2150 Articles Published)