Carlos Alcaraz Into Japan Open Semifinals After Shapovalov Retires Hurt

Defending champion advances after injury stoppage

TOKYO — Carlos Alcaraz reached the semi-finals of the Kinoshita Group Japan Open on Sunday after Denis Shapovalov retired with an upper-right-thigh injury while trailing 7-6 (7/3), 2-1, the ATP Tour and AFP reported.

The match lasted about 82 minutes at Ariake Tennis Forest Park. Shapovalov appeared to injure himself stretching for a forehand early in the second set, took an off-court medical timeout after the opening game, then could not continue, according to the ATP Tour. AFP described the problem as an upper right thigh injury.

Alcaraz saves set point, wins tight opener

The opening set featured six breaks of serve. Shapovalov led 5-3 and held a set point on return at 5-4, 30-40, but Alcaraz saved it with a drop shot and later sealed a 7-3 tie-break with a passing shot, AFP and the ATP Tour said. Alcaraz dropped serve three times in the first set and said afterward he struggled to find a rhythm on serve but was pleased with how he responded after each break.

“It’s a shame that he had to pull out,” Alcaraz said. “Going through to a semi-final like this is not the way I wanted, but sometimes sports are tough. You have to accept it. Hopefully he’s going to be able to play in Shanghai healthy.”

Eight-match Tokyo streak continues

Alcaraz has now won eight consecutive matches at the ATP 500 event after lifting the trophy on his Tokyo debut in 2025. The 23-year-old world No. 3 next faces qualifier Jaume Munar, who beat Kyrian Jacquet 6-4, 6-2. Alcaraz leads their Lexus ATP Head2Head 3-1. Munar, who upset third seed Taylor Fritz in the first round, is into his eighth ATP Tour semi-final and first since Basel last October, the ATP Tour said.

Sources: ATP Tour; AFP via France 24; Sportsnet.