Alcaraz Dismisses Injury Fears with Impressive Tokyo Victory
Rune overcomes Quinn; Nakashima and Brooksby progress
September 27, 2025
Image: Getty Images
Carlos Alcaraz boasts a remarkable 64-7 record this season, according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index.
By Sam Jacot
Carlos Alcaraz silenced any lingering injury concerns on Saturday at the Kinoshita Group Japan Open Tennis Championships, navigating past Belgian Zizou Bergs with a scoreline of 6-4, 6-3 to secure his spot in the quarter-finals in Tokyo.
The Spanish sensation had encountered a minor ankle setback during his opening-round match against Sebastian Baez but showcased impressive agility throughout his first-ever Lexus ATP Head2Head matchup against Bergs, clinching victory after 79 minutes of intense play.
Alcaraz exhibited his powerful forehand, showing finesse at the net, and demonstrated resilience by overcoming missed break opportunities in both sets. This match elevates his season record to 64-7, as noted by the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index.
“It was a tough match, and the past day and a half were crucial for my recovery,” reflected Alcaraz regarding his ankle concerns. “I’ve mentioned it before: I have the best physio in the world, and I trust him completely. The treatment on my ankle has been exceptional, allowing me to play normally, which is fantastic. I had moments of worry with certain movements, but overall, I delivered some excellent tennis today.”
With a career-best 65 tour-level wins in 2023, Alcaraz is on the verge of equalling that record in the next round against American Brandon Nakashima, who triumphed over Marton Fucsovics with a score of 7-5, 6-3, marking his 30th win of 2025.
The top seed is vying for his eighth title of the season, arriving in Tokyo in high spirits following his recent success at the US Open where he clinched his sixth Grand Slam. This victory against Jannik Sinner not only added to his accolades but also propelled him back to the pinnacle of the PIF ATP Rankings, boasting a solid lead of 2,590 points over Sinner in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin, which tracks contenders for the Year-End No. 1 title.
In earlier action, Holger Rune made quick work of his opponent, securing his place in the quarter-finals with a commanding 6-4, 6-2 victory over American Ethan Quinn. The third-seeded Dane previously reached the semi-finals in Tokyo last year and aims to replicate that success as he faces Jenson Brooksby in the quarters, who defeated Luciano Darderi 7-6(7), 6-1.
Rune is in pursuit of his second title this season, having previously won at the ATP 500 clay event in Barcelona. Currently positioned 14th in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin, he is striving to close the gap of over 1,000 points to eighth-placed Alex de Minaur, who holds the final qualification berth for the Nitto ATP Finals.
“I’ve really sharpened my focus at the start of sets,” Rune noted. “I pushed to take control early, which puts me in a comfortable position. My opponent is skilled with various weapons, but it was all about neutralizing those strengths and playing my game. Fast starts helped me settle in and feel more relaxed.”
