Carlos Alcaraz recovered from four set points down in the opening-set tie-break before beating Matteo Arnaldi 7-6(6), 6-1 to reach the Japan Open quarter-finals in Tokyo.
The top seed trailed 2-6 in the tie-break but won the next six points to take the set. He then assumed control of the second set, moving 5-0 ahead before completing the win in one hour and 46 minutes.
Alcaraz will play Denis Shapovalov in the last eight of the ATP 500 tournament. The result keeps the defending champion in contention to retain the Tokyo title after a match in which his position appeared precarious late in the first set.
Alcaraz finds a response under pressure
Arnaldi had created the decisive-looking opportunity in the tie-break, opening a 6-2 lead and holding four set points. Alcaraz, however, halted the Italian’s momentum with six consecutive points to turn the set around.
According to Tennis Majors, Alcaraz then made a rapid start to the second set. He won the first five games and conceded only six points in that spell, with just one of those points lost on his own serve. Arnaldi got on the scoreboard at 5-1, but Alcaraz saved two break points when serving for the match and closed out the contest.
Speaking after the match to Tennis TV, as reported by Tennis365, Alcaraz said that when he had been 6-2 down in the tie-break he had initially been considering what he would need to improve in a potential third set. He said he stayed focused point by point and altered elements of his game, which he felt had worked.
He added that Arnaldi had been particularly effective with his forehand and that he had left Alcaraz out of his usual rhythm. Alcaraz said winning the first set left him more relaxed for the second and thinking about the things he needed to do.
His comments placed the key adjustment within the tie-break itself rather than solely during the changeover. Alcaraz said the points he won from 6-2 down helped him identify what to do in the second set. The subsequent 6-1 scoreline gave practical weight to that assessment, and he said he was pleased to have completed the recovery without needing a deciding set.
A second straight three-set test avoided
The victory followed a tougher opening-round passage against Alex Michelsen. Alcaraz had beaten the American 7-6(1), 4-6, 6-1, meaning he had already spent three sets on court before facing Arnaldi.
Tournament results show that Alcaraz has won the opening set of both of his Tokyo matches in tie-breaks. Against Michelsen, he lost the second set before taking the decider 6-1; against Arnaldi, he recovered to win the tie-break before taking the second set by the same 6-1 margin. The Arnaldi result therefore allowed him to reach the quarter-finals without another three-set match.
It was Alcaraz’s third win over Arnaldi, according to Tennis Majors, following previous victories at the 2023 US Open and Indian Wells in 2024. The Tokyo meeting nevertheless required him to recover from his most difficult position in the match before he was able to establish control.
Alcaraz is pursuing back-to-back titles at the Japan Open. Tennis Majors reported that his win over Arnaldi extended his Tokyo winning run to seven matches, while the tournament results listing confirmed that he is the No. 1 seed this year.
The Spaniard’s next opponent, Shapovalov, reached the quarter-finals by beating Alejandro Tabilo 7-5, 3-6, 6-4. Alcaraz said he expected the Canadian to bring an aggressive style and indicated that he would need to be prepared to defend, attack and adapt to the demands of the match.
Quarter-final field takes shape
Alcaraz, Shapovalov, Munar and Jacquet are among the players listed in the quarter-final draw. Qualifier Jaume Munar beat lucky loser Jaime Faria 6-1, 6-1, while Kyrian Jacquet defeated Luciano Darderi 6-3, 7-6(5).
Elsewhere, eighth seed Valentin Vacherot recovered from a set down to beat Stefanos Tsitsipas 4-6, 7-6(5), 6-4. Arthur Fils also progressed, defeating second seed Frances Tiafoe 6-3, 7-5.
Shapovalov had opened his tournament by beating Japanese wild card Sho Shimabukuro 7-5, 6-1, before his three-set win over Tabilo secured the meeting with Alcaraz.