Carlos Alcaraz is through to his 13th quarter-final of the season at the ATP 500 event in Tokyo. The six-time Major winner faced Zizou Bergs in the second round and earned a 6-4, 6-3 triumph in an hour and 19 minutes.
Carlos injured his left ankle on Thursday and did not train on Friday. Luckily, he faced no issues in his second match, not playing at his best but doing enough to seal the deal without spending too much time on the court.
World no. 1 struggled behind the second serve and got broken three times from six chances offered to his opponent. Bergs dropped half of the points in his games and experienced five breaks from six chances presented to the Spaniard.
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Alcaraz landed 17 winners and unforced errors. He trailed a bit in service winners but overpowered Bergs from the baseline and at the net. They traded breaks in games three and four of the opener, with the Belgian missing a chance to forge the advantage.
Instead, Carlos secured another break in the sixth game and forged a 5-2 advantage. World no. 1 served for the set in game nine and experienced a break. However, he kept his composure and provided his third return game at 5-4 to wrap up the opener.
Alcaraz squandered a 3-0 lead in the second set before clinching another break in game four that sent him 4-2 in front. The Spaniard cemented the lead after saving a break point in game seven.
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He served for the win at 5-3 and offered his rival another break chance. Carlos saved it and seized a match point to move over the top and remain on the title course. His next rival?
The American Brandon Nakashima, who will try to terminate world no. 1's great streak since April.
