Carlos Alcaraz continues to demonstrate his dominance on the court as he advanced to the semi-finals of the Japan Open without dropping a set, marking a remarkable run in Tokyo. The world No. 1 delivered a convincing performance against Brandon Nakashima, winning the match 6-2, 6-4 and showcasing his powerful serve and impressive shot-making.
In this latest victory, Alcaraz unleashed a staggering 25 forehand winners, reinforcing his place as a formidable opponent on the ATP tour. This match was a significant milestone for the young Spaniard, as it propelled him into his ninth consecutive tour-level semi-final. With a potential 66th win in sight, he matched his career-best of 65 victories in a single season, achieved earlier this year.
Reflecting on his success, Alcaraz expressed his excitement at reaching the semi-finals, particularly during his debut at the Japan Open. “It’s special because it’s the first time I am playing here in Japan and here in Tokyo, so to reach the semi-finals in my first appearance is something great,” he said. In this encounter, Alcaraz even held three match points while serving at 5-3 in the second set but faced tough resistance from Nakashima, who managed to save them.
Despite the pressure, Alcaraz maintained his composure and wrapped up the match with impressive play. “Closing a match is difficult. Even tougher when you had match points, but I just tried to maintain my focus and play some great points in the last game,” he noted. His current form has him feeling invincible, saying, “Probably it’s the best period of my career. I’m just feeling great on court, every time I step on the court.”
Looking forward, Alcaraz sets goals before each match, a strategy he believes aids his performance and focus. His next challenge will come against Casper Ruud, who also advanced smoothly to the semi-finals with a 6-3, 6-2 victory over Aleksandar Vukic. Ruud, seeded fourth, aims to break Alcaraz’s current winning momentum. Notably, Alcaraz holds a 4-1 edge in their head-to-head meetings, though Ruud triumphed in their last encounter at the ATP Finals in 2022.
The other semi-final matchup will feature an all-American clash between second-seeded Taylor Fritz, the defending champion of the Tokyo event, and Jenson Brooksby, who secured his place with a 6-3, 6-3 upset over third seed Holger Rune. As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on Alcaraz and Ruud as they vie for a coveted spot in the finals.
