Carlos Alcaraz continued his quest for a title defense at the Japan Open in Tokyo, advancing when Denis Shapovalov was forced to retire with an injury while trailing by a set and 2-1.
Top-seeded Alcaraz was put to the test early against the Canadian and eventually emerged from the first-set tiebreak with the set in hand after failing to serve it out at 6-5. It was one of six breaks in the first set.
Shapovalov held a 5-3 lead in the set after his second break, but Alcaraz recorded breaks in his next two service games to take the advantage.
Last year’s Tokyo champion didn’t let his serving issues bother him in the tiebreak, as he took seven of the final eight points to lock up the set, closing it with a showstopping backhand crosscourt winner that brought the crowd to its feet.
“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.”
Things went downhill for Shapovalov early in the second set, as he stretched for a forehand on the first point and appeared to suffer a right leg injury. Shapovalov immediately grabbed at the area around his right hip, taking time between points before limping off the court for an off-court medical timeout after the first game.
Two games later, the Canadian made the decision to end the contest after 82 minutes.
“It’s a shame that he had to pull out,” Alcaraz, who will face Jaume Munar in the semifinals, said. “Going through to a semi-final like this is not the way I wanted.”
After his win, the classy Spaniard signed the camera: “Be back soon, Denis.”
Alcaraz improves to 8-0 lifetime in Tokyo with his win – he is 3-1 lifetime against Munar.
Earlier on Sunday, Munar took out Kyrian Jacquet, 6-4, 6-2.
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