Carlos Alcaraz said he had the “best physio in the world” after he had taken the concern about an ankle injury to beat Zizou Bergs in the second round of the Japan open.
The number one in the world had said he was “scared” after he had landed awkward during his first round victory over Sebastian Baez on Thursday.
But the 22-year-old Spaniard looked few problems when he rode a 6-4 6-3 victory over unwanted Belgian Bergs to set up a quarterfinals against Brandon Nakashima in Tokyo.
“I could play, I would normally say,” said Alcaraz, who won the US Open last month.
“I was worried about some movements on the field where I could feel the ankle, but in general I think I played a great game.
“I said earlier and I will say it again – I have the best physio in the world, which I trust 100%, and the work he did for the ankle that I think was great.”
Elsewhere, world number two Jannik Sinner was brought to three sets by the 23-year-old French qualifying match Atmane in the China Open and won 6-4 5-7 6-0 to reach the quarterfinals.
The Italian, who lost to Alcaraz in the final of the US Open, but this season won the Australian Open and Wimbledon, staggered in the second set after twice leading a break.
Atmane produced one of the surprise runs of the season to reach the semi-final of the Cincinnati masters in August, where he lost to Sinner.
But after he had stimulated his way to a decision in Beijing, he started to struggle with cramps, allowing Sinner to go through the third set to set up a final game against the Fabian Marozsan van Hungary.
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