In a thrilling opening round at the Tokyo Open, Carlos Alcaraz, the world No. 1 and reigning US Open champion, encountered an early scare but ultimately triumphed over Sebastian Baez with a dominating scoreline of 6-4, 6-2. This match marked Alcaraz’s first appearance since his Grand Slam victory, and it wasn’t without its challenges.
The young Spaniard faced a moment of concern during the fourth game when he twisted his left ankle after planting his foot awkwardly. This incident sent him tumbling to the ground, prompting the need for medical attention and strapping to secure the injured area. The match was briefly halted due to rain, allowing Alcaraz to regroup before he returned to the court with renewed focus.
After the delay, the 20-year-old exhibited his characteristic resilience, swiftly advancing through the second set. Reflecting on the incident, Alcaraz admitted, “I was scared too, I’m not gonna lie. When I planted the ankle, I was worried, but I’m just happy I was able to play good tennis after that.” His quick recovery combined with his solid play allowed him to close out the match comfortably, setting up a second-round encounter with Zizou Bergs, who ousted Alejandro Tabilo in a tightly contested match.
Casper Ruud, seeded fourth, is another top contender in the tournament, looking to put behind the memories of the Laver Cup where his European team faced defeat. Ruud’s next challenge will be Matteo Berrettini as he aims to secure his place in the ATP Finals in Turin. “It’s important for me to finish the season strong,” stated Ruud, indicating that he is focused on making a significant impact despite the recent setback.
Taylor Fritz, another key American player, had a hard-fought debut against Gabriel Diallo, eventually winning 4-6, 6-3, 7-6(3). The second seed’s victory not only keeps his hopes alive for a second consecutive appearance at the ATP Finals, but he now looks ahead to a meeting with Nuno Borges in round two. Fritz expressed the challenge of transitioning back to competitive energy after the Laver Cup, saying, “It was a really tough match to play.”
The first round also saw the emergence of several American players. Sebastian Korda edged past Marcos Giron and Jenson Brooksby surprised former finalist Ugo Humbert, both advancing to the next stage of the tournament. Unfortunately, it was a disappointing day for Frances Tiafoe and Denis Shapovalov, who both suffered unexpected exits, with Tiafoe falling to Marton Fucsovics and Shapovalov losing to Daniel Altmaier in his first match post-wedding.
As the tournament progresses, Alcaraz’s performance will be scrutinized, especially as he aims for more success following his Kings of New York glory. The Tokyo Open promises more exciting matches ahead as players navigate both physical challenges and the mental fortitude necessary for success on the ATP Tour.
