Carlos Alcaraz rallied from a 2-6 deficit in the opening-set tiebreak to defeat Matteo Arnaldi 7-6(6), 6-1 at the Tokyo ATP 500 on Saturday, according to Tennis Majors. The top seed and defending champion won six consecutive points in the tiebreak to save four set points before dominating the second set, in which he raced to a 5-0 lead.
How did Alcaraz overcome the tiebreak crisis?
Alcaraz reeled off six straight points from 2-6 down to seize control of the tiebreak and ultimately close it 7-6(6). After taking the opening set, he overwhelmed Arnaldi in the second, losing only six points across the entire set and saving two break points in the final game to seal the victory in one hour and 46 minutes.
What does this mean for Alcaraz's title defence?
The Spaniard has now won seven consecutive matches in Tokyo and improved to 18-0 at ATP 500 level since losing to Holger Rune at last year's Barcelona final. Alcaraz is bidding to become the first man to defend the Tokyo title since Pete Sampras won back-to-back championships in 1993 and 1994.
Who will Alcaraz face next?
Alcaraz will meet Canadian Denis Shapovalov in the quarterfinals. Shapovalov advanced by defeating Alejandro Tabilo 7-5, 3-6, 6-4 in his second-round match. The matchup marks Alcaraz's 59th Tour-level quarterfinal and his sixth of the season.