The top two players in the ATP rankings Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner made their debuts today in Tokyo and Beijing respectively. Unlike previous years, the Spanish ace has decided to go to Japan instead of the Chinese capital where he had lifted the trophy last season by beating Jannik in an epic final.
The new world No.1 defeated Argentine player Sebastian Baez in the night session, but all his fans were frightened by an ankle injury suffered by Carlitos in the fifth game of the first set. The 22-year-old from Murcia confessed that he was very scared at the time and was undecided whether or not to continue playing, but he was fitted with a bandage and the pain subsided as the minutes went by.
The six-time Grand Slam champion who has had an excellent season so far will assess the condition of his ankle in the coming hours and will be able to rest tomorrow. His next fight in Tokyo is set for Saturday against Zizou Bergs, who surprisingly eliminated the Chilean ace Alejandro Tabilo exhausted after winning the title in Chengdu a few days ago.
Alcaraz and Sinner advance
Sinner on the other hand had no problems of any kind against the Croatian veteran Marin Cilic, who was unable to put the world number 2 in trouble by collecting only four games in total. The Italian champion seemed to be in excellent shape and has already metabolized the defeat against Alcaraz in the final US Open, knowing that he will have to defend many points between now and the end of the season.
The 24-year-old from Sesto Pusteria has always been very brilliant on these courts and triumphed in the Chinese capital two years ago, starting his impressive rise that has led him to the first position in the ATP ranking.
Just like Carlitos, Jannik will also return to action on Saturday and face the French ace Terence Atmane (already beaten by the Italian in the semifinal of the Cincinnati Masters 1000 just over a month ago).
