Carlos Alcaraz overcame a tricky test from Daniel Evans on Monday at the Shanghai Masters, advancing 7-6(1), 6-4 to boost his ATP Year-End No. 1 chances.

The Spaniard, who is making his debut in Shanghai, handled Evans’ court-craft with his own agility and power, prevailing in a series of lung-busting exchanges to improve to 41-1 on the year against players ranked outside the Top 20.