Alcaraz Reaches Japan Open Semi-Final After Injured Shapovalov Retires
Carlos Alcaraz reached the Japan Open semi-finals on Sunday after Denis Shapovalov retired with an upper right thigh injury, handing the defending champion a 7-6(3), 2-1 victory in Tokyo.
The world No 3 had to work hard for the opening set before the Canadian’s body gave way early in the second. Shapovalov, ranked 46th in the world, stopped after 82 minutes, and Alcaraz will now face fellow Spaniard Jaume Munar, the world No 64, for a place in the final.
Japan Open quarter-final: a first set Alcaraz had to rescue
The Alcaraz Japan Open quarter-final was genuinely competitive before the injury. Shapovalov troubled the Spaniard with variety rather than power, mixing deep shots with drop shots and alternating pace with spin.
The Canadian led 5-3 in the first set and held a set point, which Alcaraz saved at 5-4 down with a deft drop shot. The tie-break that followed was one-sided, with Alcaraz sealing it 7-3 with a passing shot to take the set.
It was the second straight match in which Alcaraz needed a first-set escape. On Saturday he saved four set points against Italy’s Matteo Arnaldi before winning 7-6(6), 6-1.
“It was a little bit frustrating with my serve. I couldn’t find a good way of serving: I was struggling almost every game on serve,” Alcaraz said. “But I’m just happy with the way I came back after every break. It was a great first set: great points, great rallies.”
The injury that ended it
Trouble struck in the first game of the second set. Shapovalov stretched for a forehand on the opening point and immediately grabbed at the area around his right hip. He took time between points, limped off the court for an off-court medical timeout after the first game, and two games later decided he could not continue.
“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.” The classy Spaniard signed the camera lens afterwards with a message for his opponent: “Be back soon, Denis.”
The win extended Alcaraz’s unbeaten run at the Tokyo ATP 500 event to eight matches and put him into the semi-finals for the second year in a row.
A comeback still finding its level
The Spaniard is playing only his third tournament since returning from a months-long wrist injury that cost him nearly five months of the season. He reached the quarter-finals of the US Open last month and has spoken openly about how uncertain the comeback felt.
“Well I think I’m gonna say way far. It’s far from where I want to be,” he said of his current level. “But I’m doing great things on the court. I’m practicing well. You gotta find a way.”
Munar earned his semi-final spot by ending the run of French qualifier Kyrian Jacquet. In the other half of the draw, Valentin Vacherot upset Arthur Fils 7-5, 4-6, 6-4 to set up a semi-final against Jiri Lehecka, who thrashed Adolfo Daniel Vallejo 6-1, 6-1.
Frequently asked questions
Why did Shapovalov retire against Alcaraz?
The Canadian suffered an upper right thigh injury in the first game of the second set, took a medical timeout, and retired two games later with Alcaraz leading 7-6(3), 2-1.
Who does Alcaraz play in the Japan Open semi-final?
Fellow Spaniard Jaume Munar, the world No 64, who beat French qualifier Kyrian Jacquet to reach the last four.
How is Alcaraz’s comeback from injury going?
It is only his third tournament back after a months-long wrist injury. He reached the US Open quarter-finals last month and says his level is still far from where he wants it to be.
