Carlos Alcaraz reaches Japan Open semifinals after Shapovalov retires

Carlos Alcaraz qualified for the semifinals of the Japan Open after Denis Shapovalov retired, giving Alcaraz a 7-6 (7/3), 2-1 victory. Shapovalov withdrew due to an injury to his upper right thigh sustained in the first game of the second set.

Alcaraz, the defending champion and currently ranked world No. 3, will face fellow Spaniard Jaume Munar, who defeated 86th-ranked Kyrian Jacquet of France. The match was competitive until Shapovalov's retirement, with Alcaraz struggling against Shapovalov's varied gameplay.

Alcaraz had previously saved four set points against Matteo Arnaldi in the quarterfinals before this match. This event marks Alcaraz's third tournament since returning from a wrist injury, having reached the quarterfinals of the US Open last month.

In another quarterfinal, Valentin Vacherot upset Arthur Fils with a score of 7-5, 4-6, 6-4, setting up a semifinal against either Jiri Lehecka or Adolfo Vallejo.