Alcaraz reaches Japan Open semi-finals after Shapovalov retires

Carlos Alcaraz reached the semi-finals of the Japan Open on Sunday after Denis Shapovalov retired during their quarter-final match. Alcaraz was leading 7-6 (7-3), 2-1 when Shapovalov withdrew after suffering an injury to his upper right thigh in the first game of the second set. The match had been closely contested before the Canadian’s retirement.

Shapovalov, ranked 46th, challenged Alcaraz with a varied approach that included deep shots, drop shots, power and spin. Alcaraz saved four set points against Matteo Arnaldi on Saturday and again recovered from danger in the opening set against Shapovalov. The Spaniard saved four set points at 5-4 down before sealing the tie-break with a passing shot.

He will meet fellow Spaniard Jaume Munar in the semi-finals. Munar, ranked 64th, ended the run of France’s Kyrian Jacquet, who is ranked 86th. The tournament is being played on the hard-court circuit in Japan.

Alcaraz is the defending champion and is playing only his third event since returning from a months-long wrist injury. He reached the quarter-finals of last month’s US Open after returning to competition. In the other quarter-final reported on Sunday, Valentin Vacherot defeated France’s Arthur Fils 7-5, 4-6, 6-4.

Vacherot will face either Jiri Lehecka or Adolfo Vallejo in the semi-finals. Fils appeared to be in control after earning two set points at 5-3, but Vacherot won the next four games to take the opening set. Fils levelled the match after a competitive second set, but Vacherot prevailed in a deciding set lasting two hours and 20 minutes.