Carlos Alcaraz still has to be tested in the Japan Open, which smoothly continues in the semi -final of Tokyo with a fourth, stress -free, straight set of victory on Sunday.
I just think I can do everything. I approach the end of the season with great confidence and these kinds of competitions, this kind of level, helps a lot to keep trust high Carlos Alcaraz
The Spaniard defeated Brandon Nakashima 6-2 6-4 with another stunning serving view in combination with his usual impossible Get and winners to dominate the American.
Alcaraz hit 25 Forehand winners to walk to his ninth consecutive semifinal at tour level, on schedule for a possible 66th competition victory that now achieved his personal best run of 65 victories in 2023.
“It’s great to continue, to play another semi -final,” said Alcaraz in his interview after the game. “It is special because it is the first time that I play here in Japan and here in Tokyo, so to reach the semi -final in my first performance is something great.”
The world No. 1 held three match points at 5-3 in the second set, all well stored by Nakashima, who then saw four winners flash past him while Alcaraz completed the match.
“I always say that closing a competition is difficult. Even more difficult when you had match points, as I did when I came back,” said Alcaraz. “Losing that game, I thought it would be very difficult, but I just tried to keep my focus and play some great points in the last game. I don’t think I played a final game like this, so I’m really happy with it.
“Probably [it’s the best period of my career]. I just feel great on the field, every time I get on the field, “said Alcaraz.
“I just think I can do everything. I approach the end of the season with great confidence and these kinds of competitions, this kind of level, helps a lot to keep trust high.
“I only try to set goals for competitions, before tournaments, and try to follow those goals. I think that helps me a lot to play great tennis and keep the focus during the game.”
Casper Ruud has defeated Carlos Alcaraz in the past
(Photo by Koji Watanabe/Getty images)
Casper Ruud now has the non-desirable task of trying to bring down an unbridled and confident top seed while the couple plays for a place in the title match after the Norwegian, fourth, in a similar comfortable fashion, region beyond his quarter-finals opponent, Australia’s Aleksander Vukic, 6-3 6-2 in 58-minutes ..
Alcaraz leads Ruud 4-1 insofar as their personal history goes, with one of those victories in the US Open final of 2022, but the Norwegian achieved a straight set victory during their last meeting, which was at the ATP final last year,
In the lower half of the draw, Taylor Fritz, the 2022 Tokyo Champion and Jenson Brooksby, an All-American Semi-Final will dispute after the second placed Fritz the fellow countryman Sebastian Korda 6-7 6-7 (5) 6-3 6-3-3 and the Blooks BROOKS SMOTS Dan Nr. Third Third Third Third Third Third Third Bold Third Semi Final Spot.
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