Team Europe's Carlos Alcaraz returns to Team World's Taylor Fritz during a Laver Cup tennis tournament match in London, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Maja Smiejkowska)
Republished October 03, 2026 - 12:39 AM
Original Publication Date October 03, 2026 - 12:01 AM
TOKYO (AP) — Top-seeded Carlos Alcaraz beat Matteo Arnaldi 7-6 (6), 6-1 on Saturday in a second-round match at the Japan Open, continuing his strong return to play after a four-month layoff due to a wrist injury.
Alcaraz played in the Laver Cup last week, helping Europe claim the trophy with a singles win over Taylor Fritz. Alcaraz lost to Ben Shelton in an epic, early-morning finish at the U.S. Open quarterfinals after his injury return.
In an earlier second-round match Saturday, Denis Shapovalov beat Alejandro Tabilo 7-5. 3-6. 6-4. Alcaraz will play Shapovalov in the quarterfinals.
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