By Richard Pagliaro | Thursday, September 25, 2025Photo credit score: Yuichi Yamazaki/AFP/Getty
Carlos Alcaraz hit the ground then confirmed a excessive ceiling for ache and perseverance.
World No. 1 Alcaraz overcame an ankle harm and Sebastian Baez posting a 6-4, 6-2 triumph in his Tokyo debut.
The US Open champion was taking part in his first ATP match since regaining the world No. 1 rating and his Asian return was very almost reduce brief.
Alcaraz crashed to the courtroom clutching his left ankle and left heel in ache within the fifth recreation. Following a go to from the coach who taped up his ankle and a few 30-minute rain delay, Alcaraz broke for 5-4 then served out the opening set at love.
Transferring extra freely within the second set, Alcaraz broke serve in two of Baez’s first three service video games snatching a 5-1 second-set lead. Alcaraz served out the match at 15.
Afterward, the six-time Grand Slam champion conceded he was each scared and apprehensive.
“”When it occurred, I didn’t really feel nicely in any respect. I couldn’t do something within the first 5 minutes,” Alcaraz mentioned. “So I used to be apprehensive, as a result of I didn’t believe to proceed. However the physio got here and put some bandages on me that had been superb and made me not really feel something, which for me was superb.
“I may stroll and I gained a variety of confidence in having the ability to proceed, after having thought that I couldn’t do it.”
Regaining stability in his left ankle empowered Alcaraz to step on the throttle powering previous Baez.
Alcaraz mentioned in his second of doubt he reminded himself to take care of warrior mode.
“I attempt to have a warrior mentality at all times, in each recreation and each facet,” Alcaraz mentioned. “That’s what I assumed. Attempt to do your greatest, as a lot as you may to make good tennis for individuals.
“I couldn’t fail them, as a result of I might really feel a bit of responsible. So I continued for them as nicely, with mentality and giving all the things I had.”
The highest-seeded Spaniard superior to a second-round assembly vs. Zizou Bergs, who ousted edged Chengdu champion Alejandro Tabilo 1-6, 7-6(2), 7-6(4). Alcaraz improved to an ATP-best 63-7 in 2025, together with a 48-3 run since April.
“After I sprained my ankle, I used to be apprehensive, to be trustworthy. I didn’t really feel nicely at first,” Alcaraz mentioned. “So I’m comfortable that I used to be capable of play after that and play good tennis to complete this nicely.
“We’ve got to see. It received’t be simple the following day and a half for me. I’ll attempt to recuperate, to do all the things I can to be prepared for the following spherical and attempt to play and do it at a degree sufficient to compete. Though I’ve been unfortunate.”
Recent off his heroics to steer Group World to the Laver Cup championship, Taylor Fritz fought off Gabriel Diallo 4-6, 6-3, 7-6(3).
The second-seeded Fritz fired 13 aces in a two hour, nine-minute win. Fritz will face Nuno Borges subsequent.
