World No 1 Carlos Alcaraz Overcomes Ankle Injury to Reach Japan Open Quarterfinals

Carlos Alcaraz, the world No. 1 and six-time Grand Slam champion, has praised his physio for helping him recover from a concerning ankle injury sustained during his first-round match at the Japan Open. Despite initial worries after an awkward landing, Alcaraz returned to the court to win his second-round match against Zizou Bergs in straight sets, advancing to the quarterfinals where he will face Brandon Nakashima. The Spaniard credited the work of his physio, Juanjo Moreno, for enabling him to play nearly normally despite some lingering discomfort. Alcaraz's resilience and recovery have been notable, as many doubted he would continue in the tournament, yet he has not dropped a set so far. His strong performance in Tokyo adds to an impressive season that includes victories at the French Open and US Open. Other tournament highlights include Jannik Sinner reaching the quarter-finals of the China Open after a tough three-set match.