Another challenge conquered, albeit unconventionally, for Carlos Alcaraz as he punched his ticket to the Kinoshita Group Japan Open Tennis Championships semi-finals. The reigning champion showcased his trademark resilience, even as a hip injury forced opponent Denis Shapovalov to withdraw from their quarter-final clash. This sets the stage for a compelling all-Spanish semi-final in Tokyo.

Carlos Alcaraz advances to the Japan Open semi-finals.

Denis Shapovalov retired due to a hip injury with Alcaraz leading 7-6(3), 2-1.

The quarter-final featured a dramatic, hard-fought opening set.

Alcaraz will now face compatriot Jaume Munar for a spot in the final.

Alcaraz Secures Semi-Final Berth After Gruelling Start

The young Spaniard's journey to the final four was anything but straightforward, despite the truncated match. Alcaraz had been locked in a fierce battle for 82 minutes, leading 7-6(3), 2-1 when Shapovalov signaled he could not continue. While the victory came unconventionally, it highlighted Alcaraz's ability to navigate tough moments, especially early in the contest.

"It was a little bit frustrating with my serve," Alcaraz admitted, reflecting on his struggles in the first set. He added, "But I’m just happy with the way I came back after every break. It was a great first set: Great points, great rallies." This ability to recover from setbacks underscores his champion's mentality, a critical trait for any top player.

First Set Thriller: Resilience on Display

The opening set was a rollercoaster, featuring a staggering six breaks of serve. Shapovalov initially seized control, building a 5-3 lead and even holding a set point at 5-4, 30/40. But Alcaraz, ever the magician, saved it with a perfectly executed drop shot. He then capitalized on the momentum, forcing and ultimately dominating the tie-break to snatch the set. This crucial turnaround demonstrated Alcaraz's clutch performance under immense pressure.

Shapovalov's Unfortunate Injury Exit

The second set, unfortunately, brought an abrupt end to the spirited contest. Early in the set, Shapovalov appeared to sustain a hip injury while stretching for a forehand. After receiving an off-court medical timeout, the Canadian attempted to continue but ultimately had to retire, much to the disappointment of the fans and, evidently, Alcaraz.

"It’s a shame that he had to pull out," Alcaraz remarked. "Going through to a semi-final like this is not the way I wanted, but sometimes sports are tough. You have to accept it. Hopefully he’s going to be able to play in Shanghai healthy." It's a testament to the sportsmanship inherent in professional tennis.

All-Spanish Showdown: Alcaraz vs. Munar Next

Alcaraz now extends his impressive streak at this ATP 500 event to eight consecutive wins, having claimed the title in his previous appearance. His next challenge comes in the form of fellow Spaniard Jaume Munar. Alcaraz holds a 3-1 Lexus ATP Head2Head advantage against Munar, setting up an intriguing semi-final clash.

Munar earned his spot impressively, overcoming Kyrian Jacquet with a decisive 6-4, 6-2 victory. This marks Munar's eighth career ATP Tour semi-final, his first since Basel last October. His strong run in Tokyo, which included an upset win over third seed Taylor Fritz in the first round, has seen him climb 15 spots to No. 49 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings, proving he's a formidable opponent for the world No. 1.