Carlos Alcaraz reaches Tokyo quarter-finals after scare

Carlos Alcaraz has moved into the Tokyo ATP 500 quarter-finals, keeping the tournament’s top seed in contention as only two of the eight seeded players remain. His next opponent will be Denis Shapovalov, who came through a three-set match against Alejandro Tabilo.

Alcaraz defeated Matteo Arnaldi for the third time in as many meetings, winning 7-6, 6-1 in one hour and 45 minutes. The Spaniard made an uncertain start after an early break was cancelled out, then faced a major challenge in the tie-break. Arnaldi led 6-2, but Alcaraz saved each set point before taking the opener on his first opportunity.

The match became more one-sided after that escape. Alcaraz moved 5-0 ahead in the second set and repeatedly held serve without dropping a point in his service games. Arnaldi created two break chances at 5-1, but could not extend the contest. The performance followed the uneven pattern Alcaraz showed in his previous match against Alex Michelsen, although this time he recovered quickly enough to secure a straight-sets win.

Shapovalov advanced by beating Tabilo 7-5, 3-6, 6-4 after two hours and 12 minutes. The Canadian struck 11 aces but surrendered serve three times. He has lost both previous meetings with Alcaraz, without taking a set.