Tokyo
‘Warrior’ Alcaraz survives harm scare in Tokyo debut; Ruud wins
World No. 1 acquired medical timeout throughout fifth recreation towards Baez
September 25, 2025
Yuichi Yamazaki/Getty Pictures
Carlos Alcaraz improves to 3-0 in his Lexus ATP Head2Head collection with Sebastian Baez.
By Jerome Coombe
Carlos Alcaraz overcame each an harm scare and a rain delay on a dramatic debut on the Kinoshita Group Japan Open Tennis Championships in Tokyo, the place he defeated Sebastian Baez 6-4, 6-2 on Thursday night.
Halfway by means of the opener, the World No. 1 collapsed to the ground holding his left ankle and heel, which required strapping, solely to later be interrupted by a 30-minute rain delay previous to serving for the primary set. Regardless of the setbacks, Alcaraz steadied himself to win in straight units and transfer safely into the second spherical on the ATP 500 occasion.
“I used to be scared too, I’m not gonna lie,” Alcaraz stated. “After I planted the ankle, I used to be apprehensive, as a result of it didn’t really feel good in the beginning. I’m simply completely happy that I used to be capable of play good tennis after that and end the match fairly good. I’ll attempt to recuperate to do no matter it takes to be prepared for the subsequent spherical.”
After dropping serve for 2-2 within the first set, Alcaraz stretched for a forehand and stumbled backward in clear discomfort earlier than collapsing to the court docket, clutching his left leg and glancing anxiously to his crew. Whereas mendacity there, the World No. 1 acquired on-court consideration from the physio earlier than shifting to his chair, the place his left ankle and heel had been taped throughout a medical timeout.
Alcaraz tentatively returned, however ultimately retrieved a few of his first-class shotmaking to seal the primary set, which was halted for half-hour at 5-4. The 22-year-old Spaniard then had the strapping bolstered, and along with his motion safer, he powered by means of the rest of the match.
“I couldn’t do something in any respect through the first 5 minutes [after] I did it,” stated Alcaraz, who improved to 3-0 in his Lexus ATP Head2Head collection with Baez. “I used to be apprehensive that I wouldn’t have the boldness to complete the match, however the physio got here and did some exams. It was good I may stroll to the bench and that gave me confidence [to continue]. I’m making an attempt to have a warrior mentality in each match, in each facet of all the pieces.”
Subsequent in his marketing campaign is Zizou Bergs, who ousted in-form Chengdu champion Alejandro Tabilo 1-6, 7-6(2), 7-6(4). The highest-seeded Alcaraz is that this week aiming to affix 12 fellow ATP No. 1 Membership members who’ve triumphed in Tokyo. He owns a Tour-leading 63 wins and 7 titles in 2025, based on the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index.
Alcaraz’s seeded semi-final opponent Casper Ruud shook off a sluggish in his opener to beat Japanese wild card Shintaro Mochizuki 4-6, 6-1, 6-1 and hold tempo within the PIF ATP Stay Race To Turin. The previous Nitto ATP Finals runner-up is at present thirteenth, however he insists that qualification for the season finale is but to cross his thoughts.
“Not but. Sometimes once we come again to Europe, there’s solely three or 4 extra tournaments, in order that’s when you consider it,” stated Ruud, who subsequent performs Matteo Berrettini. “My purpose is to have a very good finish of the season, and I haven’t actually had that previously aside from Turin, [where] I’ve had some good outcomes. Indoors shouldn’t be my forte.
“Let’s see… It was just a little powerful to play at the moment, coming a good distance from San Francisco, however I’m very completely happy I used to be capable of overcome it.”
