Carlos Alcaraz dismissed concerns over a recent ankle injury with a commanding 6-4, 6-3 victory against Zizou Bergs to advance to the quarter-finals of the Japan Open.
The world number one had expressed apprehension after an awkward fall during his first-round win but appeared untroubled against the unseeded Belgian in Tokyo.
“I could play normally,” said Alcaraz, who won the US Open last month. “I was worried about some movements on the court where I could feel the ankle, but in general I played a great match.”
He credited his swift recovery to his support team, stating, “I have the best physio in the world, who I trust 100%, and the work he has done for the ankle has been great.” Alcaraz is now set to face Brandon Nakashima.
Meanwhile, at the China Open, world number two Jannik Sinner was pushed to three sets by French qualifier Terence Atmane before securing his place in the quarter-finals. The Italian won the opening set but squandered a break advantage twice in the second, allowing the 23-year-old to level the match.
Atmane began to struggle with cramp in the decider, however, allowing Sinner to dominate the final set and close out a 6-4, 5-7, 6-0 win. He will next play Hungary’s Fabian Marozsan.
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