Japan Open: Spain’s Alcaraz cruises into semi- final

Carlos Alcaraz moved into the semi-finals of the Japan Open after a strong 6-2, 6-4 win over American Brandon Nakashima in Tokyo.

The world number one hit 39 winners and never faced a break point, showing no signs of the ankle injury he picked up earlier in the tournament.

Alcaraz will now play Norwegian Casper Ruud in Monday’s semi-final as he looks for his eighth ATP title of the season.
“I think I played unbelievable today,” said Alcaraz. “I felt like I could do everything on the court.”

Elsewhere, Coco Gauff defeated Canada’s Leylah Fernandez in a tough three-set match at the China Open in Beijing.

Despite serving nine double faults, the defending champion held her nerve to win 6-4, 4-6, 7-5.

Gauff, 21, will face Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic in the last 16.

Emma Raducanu is set to face Jessica Pegula in another third-round clash on Monday, while Sonay Kartal takes on rising Australian star Maya Joint.

In Japan, other results saw American Jenson Brooksby beat Denmark’s Holger Rune 6-3, 6-3, securing a big ranking boost. Brooksby will meet Taylor Fritz, who overcame Sebastian Korda in three sets.

Ruud also reached the semi-finals by defeating Australia’s Aleksandar Vukic 6-3, 6-2.

Gauff admitted she struggled with her serve but was happy to advance. “It was very physical, we were going back and forth,” she said. “I know I could have served better, but I did what I needed to do to win.”

Meanwhile, in Beijing, top seed Jannik Sinner is preparing to face Hungary’s Fabian Marozsan in the men’s quarter-finals.