Alcaraz saves four set points to beat Arnaldi and reach Tokyo quarter-finals

Carlos Alcaraz advanced to the Japan Open quarter-finals on Saturday, October 3, overcoming four consecutive set points before beating Matteo Arnaldi 7-6 (6), 6-1 in Tokyo. The defending champion completed the second-round victory in one hour and 45 minutes, according to AS, turning a difficult opening set into a straight-sets win.

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Alcaraz initially appeared well placed to take control at the Ariake Coliseum. EFE reported that he broke Arnaldi in the opening game and then held for a 2-0 lead. The Italian recovered, however, holding his next service game before breaking back in the fourth to bring the first set level at 2-2.

The decisive escape came in the tie-break. Arnaldi established a 6-2 advantage, leaving him one point from the set on four successive occasions. Alcaraz denied him each opportunity and continued the sequence to take the breaker 8-6. ANSA reported that the Spaniard then secured two early breaks in the second set as Arnaldi struggled to recover.

Sky Sport's match coverage showed how closely contested the opener had been: Arnaldi hit 17 winners to Alcaraz's 13 and won 49 points to his opponent's 47, yet still lost the set. The second was very different. Alcaraz held to love at its start, broke for 2-0 and added another break on his way to a 5-0 lead.

Arnaldi held to avoid losing the second set without a game, but Alcaraz served out the match. Sky Sport reported that the result extended the Spaniard's unbeaten Tokyo record to seven matches. It also continued his success in this matchup: he had won their previous meetings at the 2023 US Open and Indian Wells in 2024.

Denis Shapovalov now stands between Alcaraz and a semi-final place. EFE reported that the Canadian earned his quarter-final spot by defeating Alejandro Tabilo 7-5, 3-6, 6-4 earlier on Saturday. Their meeting is scheduled for Sunday, with Alcaraz's title defence still intact after a first-set tie-break that nearly sent this match in a different direction.