The match, which lasted just over two hours, saw Bergs maintain composure against the former world number one. While Alcaraz initially displayed superior quality, the momentum shifted when Bergs secured a break to lead 3-2 in the opening set. Although Alcaraz responded immediately, his performance became increasingly erratic. A double fault in the 11th game proved costly, handing Bergs a critical break, and the Belgian capitalized to take the set after an Alcaraz volley fell short.
Frustration and Exit for Alcaraz
The second set saw visible frustration from Alcaraz, who frequently looked toward his coaching box as his unforced error count climbed. The Spaniard struggled to find rhythm, failing to register a single point in the fourth and eighth games. Despite pushing the set to a tie-break, Alcaraz could not force a decider, with Bergs clinching the match on his first opportunity. Following the win, the 27-year-old Belgian admitted to a sense of disbelief, noting that his focus remained entirely on the immediate points throughout the contest. Bergs now advances to face either Tommy Paul or Valentin Vacherot.
Zheng Qinwen Withdraws from Wuhan Open
In other tennis news, newly crowned China Open champion Zheng Qinwen has announced her withdrawal from the Wuhan Open. The decision comes just one day after Zheng made history by becoming the first Chinese player to win the Beijing title, defeating Mirra Andreeva 7-5, 6-4 in the final to claim her first WTA 1000-level trophy.
Zheng cited a combination of physical fatigue and a right shoulder injury as the reasons for her absence from her home tournament. In a statement, she expressed deep regret, noting that Wuhan holds special significance as the place where her tennis aspirations began and where she previously achieved a breakthrough at the WTA 1000 level. The 22-year-old explained that an intense schedule over the past six weeks, including appearances at the US Open, the Billie Jean King Cup, and the China Open, had left her body unable to sustain further competition.
