Carlos Alcaraz has made a remarkable comeback in Tokyo, defeating Casper Ruud 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 to reach his 10th final of the season. This achievement emulates the legendary Rafael Nadal’s record, set in 2017. Alcaraz, the world number one and US Open champion, showcased his resilience and determination, overcoming an ankle injury that had been bothering him since his opener against Sebastián Báez.
The 22-year-old Spaniard will face Taylor Fritz, world number five, in the Japan Open final. Fritz secured his spot in the final with a 6-4, 6-3 win over fellow American Jenson Brooksby. Alcaraz and Fritz have a history, with Fritz beating Alcaraz in San Francisco two weeks ago. However, Alcaraz is confident, having practiced with Fritz in Tokyo before the tournament began. “That practice gave me a really good feedback to how I should approach the match,” Alcaraz said.
Alcaraz’s journey to the final was not without its challenges. He struggled with his ankle injury and faced a tough opponent in Ruud, who pulled off a series of spectacular winners to take the first set. Nevertheless, Alcaraz regained control in the second set, sending down nine aces, and closed out the match with a ferocious display of power-hitting. “Physically, it can be better, I’m not going to lie,” Alcaraz said, acknowledging the impact of his injury.
This season has been remarkable for Alcaraz, with 66 wins and a string of impressive performances. Reaching 10 finals in a season is a testament to his hard work and dedication. Alcaraz’s idol, Rafael Nadal, has been an inspiration for him, and emulating Nadal’s record is a significant achievement for the young Spaniard.
