Alcaraz makes challenging start in Tokyo

Carlos Alcaraz made an eventful career debut at the Japan Open on Thursday, overcoming both an injury scare and a rain delay to advance into the second round.

The world No. 1 who reclaimed the ranking top spot with his US Open title over Jannik Sinner managed a 6-4, 6-2 win over Sebastian Baez to advance after competing in the weekend Laver Cup in California.

Alcaraz needed treatment on a left ankle after falling to the hardcourt at the Ariake Colosseum 2020 Olympic venue but carried on after a strapping.

But Alcaraz also needed to get through a 30-minute rain interruption in the Japanese capital to earn his victory at the 500 series event..

“I was scared too, I’m not gonna lie,” Alcaraz said. “When I planted the ankle, I was worried, because it didn’t feel good at the beginning. 

“I’m just happy that I was able to play good tennis after that and finish the match quite good. I will try to recover to do whatever it takes to be ready for the next round.”

Alcaraz encountered his injury problems at 2-all in the opening set, collapring on the court and receiving treatment there before limping to his chair for a tape job which allowed him to carry on.

“I couldn’t do anything at all during the first five minutes (afterwards),” he said, 

“I was worried that I wouldn’t have the confidence to finish the match, but the physio came and did some tests. 

“It was good I could walk to the bench and that gave me confidence [to continue]. I’m trying to have a warrior mentality in every match, in every aspect of everything.”

The Spaniard now bids for the quarter-finals as he faces Zizou Bergs, a winner over weekend Chengdu champion Alejandro Tabilo 1-6, 7-6 (2), 7-6 (4).

Elsewhere, fourth seed Casper Ruud needed a fightback to overcome Japanese wild card Shintaro Mochizuki 4-6, 6-1, 6-1. The Norwegian now plays Matteo Berrettini, who made a successful injury comeback in Chengdu last week after missing two and a half months on the ATP.