By
SABC Sport
10th October 2026
The Spaniard, sporting a new moustache, impressed with his aggressive approach and touch at the net to seal victory in just 66 minutes.
Alcaraz, who recently defended his Japan Open title, used the quick Shanghai courts to keep Cerundolo under pressure throughout their second-round clash.
Alcaraz is competing in Shanghai for the first time since reaching the quarter-finals in 2024. He will next face either Ignacio Buse or Zizou Bergs, with defending champion Valentin Vacherot a potential fourth-round opponent.
Elsewhere, Daniil Medvedev recovered from a set down to beat Germany's Jan-Lennard Struff 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 in his second round clash.
The Russian was playing for the first time since being disqualified from his China Open semi-final against Novak Djokovic for accidentally hitting a spectator with a ball. Medvedev fired 21 aces to secure the win and progress.
He faces either Czech qualifier Dalibor Svrcina or Tomas Martin Etcheverry of Argentina in the next round.
