Top-seeded Carlos Alcaraz advanced to the Japan Open semifinals on Sunday, October 4, after Denis Shapovalov retired because of a hip injury during their quarterfinal in Tokyo.
Alcaraz was leading 7–6, 2–1 after 82 minutes when Shapovalov stopped the match. The result sent the defending champion into an all-Spanish semifinal against qualifier Jaume Munar.
Shapovalov pushed the opening set
Shapovalov created a set-point opportunity at 5–4 in a demanding first set, but Alcaraz erased it and then won the tiebreak. Early in the second set, the Canadian appeared to hurt his hip while stretching for a running forehand.
Shapovalov left the court for medical treatment after the first game. He returned but remained visibly restricted and retired with Alcaraz ahead 2–1.
The abbreviated result continues Alcaraz’s return from a four-month wrist-injury layoff. He played at the Laver Cup the previous week and helped Team Europe win the event with a singles victory over Taylor Fritz.
Munar awaits in the semifinals
Munar secured his semifinal place by defeating French qualifier Kyrian Jacquet 6–4, 6–2. That matchup guarantees a Spanish finalist at the ATP 500 tournament, which runs through October 6.
Alcaraz is seeking to defend his Tokyo title. The quarterfinal result also extended his run at the Japan Open, although the injury retirement means the match did not provide a full test of his fitness across three sets.
No immediate timetable for Shapovalov’s recovery was announced in the initial match reports. Injury severity should not be inferred from a mid-match retirement; any diagnosis or return date should come from the player or his medical team.
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Featured image: Moises Alex/Unsplash. Image used illustratively and does not depict the Tokyo match.
Sources
- Associated Press via ABC News, October 4, 2026.
- Fox Sports match report, October 4, 2026.
- ATP Tour tournament overview, accessed October 4, 2026.