Alcaraz Cruises into Japan Open Semifinals, Aims to Stop American Rivals

On September 29, 2025, World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz secured his place in the semifinals of the Japan Open, defeating American player Brandon Nakashima in the quarterfinals. This marks Alcaraz's first appearance at the Tokyo tournament, and he is now just two wins away from claiming his third consecutive singles title.

Alcaraz, who last competed at the US Open, has been on a dominant run, winning 16 straight matches (excluding the Laver Cup). In his post-match press conference, the Spanish star expressed his desire to stop the American players from advancing further in the tournament, with four of the eight quarterfinalists hailing from the United States.

The 19-year-old Alcaraz will now face his teammate Casper Ruud in the semifinals, holding a 4-1 head-to-head advantage over the Norwegian. In the other semifinal, it will be an all-American affair, with Taylor Fritz taking on Jenson Brooksby.

Alcaraz, a six-time Grand Slam champion, described this as the "best moment" of his career, feeling confident and capable of achieving anything on the court. He credits his pre-match goal setting and focus as key factors in his continued success.

The world's top-ranked player is set to compete at the upcoming Shanghai Masters and has already qualified for the season-ending ATP Finals, further cementing his status as a dominant force in men's tennis.