Carlos Alcaraz returned to the court at the Japan Open amid concerns regarding an ankle injury sustained in his previous match. His opening match had left fans and officials worried, but the world No. 1 quickly assuaged those fears with an impressive performance in the second round.
In a match that lasted 79 minutes, Alcaraz dispatched Belgium’s Zizou Bergs with a convincing scoreline of 6-4, 6-2, advancing to the quarter-finals without showing any signs of discomfort. Despite dropping his serve in both sets, Alcaraz maintained control of the match, showcasing his agility and powerful forehands. With this victory, he improved his season record to 64 wins and only 7 losses.
Reflecting on his recovery, Alcaraz expressed gratitude for the support of his physiotherapist, underscoring the intense focus he had placed on his rehabilitation. “It was tough and it was a really important day and a half I had to recover as good as I could,” Alcaraz said. “I have said it before and I will say it again, I have the best physio in the world, who I trust 100 percent. The work he has done for the ankle has been great.”
Looking ahead, Alcaraz is set to face American Brandon Nakashima in the quarter-finals. Nakashima secured his spot with a hard-fought 7-5, 6-3 victory over Hungarian qualifier Marton Fucsovics, marking his 30th win of the season.
Meanwhile, Danish player Holger Rune advanced to the quarter-finals by defeating American Ethan Quinn 6-4, 6-2. Rune, who reached the semi-finals in Tokyo last year, appears eager to replicate and improve upon that performance. To do so, he must overcome Jenson Brooksby, who triumphed over Luciano Darderi of Italy with a score of 7-6(7), 6-1.
As the tournament progresses, Alcaraz leads the ATP Race to Turin, while Rune sits in 14th place, keen on propelling himself into contention for the season-ending finals. “I really sharpened my focus at the start of the sets,” Rune remarked after his victory. “Trying to hit quickly makes me more comfortable. He is a good player with some weapons, but it was about taking them away and playing on my terms.”
The quarter-final lineup is set, featuring an exciting schedule: Alcaraz versus Nakashima, Casper Ruud facing Alexander Vukic, Brooksby matched against Rune, and an all-American clash between Taylor Fritz and Sebastian Korda. Each player will be aiming to notch a critical win as they pursue the championship.
