Alcaraz saves three set points, then pulls away from Michelsen to stay perfect in Tokyo
Carlos Alcaraz (No. 1) saved three set points and lost the second set before running away with the third to beat Alex Michelsen 7-6 (1), 4-6, 6-1 in Tokyo. The defending champion, now unbeaten in six matches at the event, said the slow conditions had stopped him playing his aggressive game.
Carlos Alcaraz, Tokyo 2026 | © Tennis TV / Tennis Majors
Top seed and defending champion Carlos Alcaraz had to save three set points in the opening set and let a 4-2 lead slip in the second. He then ran away with the decider to beat American Alex Michelsen 7-6 (1), 4-6, 6-1 on Thursday and reach the second round of the Kinoshita Group Japan Open Tennis Championships.
Alcaraz will face Italian Matteo Arnaldi on Saturday.
The world No. 3 has now won all six matches he has played in Tokyo. He is bidding to become the first man to defend the title since Pete Sampras in 1993 and 1994.
It was not all smooth sailing for the Spaniard in this first meeting with a fellow US Open 2026 quarterfinalist. Alcaraz struggled to hold serve early on but broke his opponent several times. After saving three set points, he dominated the tiebreak 7-1.
The second set seemed to be heading his way when he led 4-2, but Michelsen won the last four games to force a decider. After missing so much tennis, some rough patches were to be expected.
It was slower than indoor, it was tricky to adjust my game.
The third set was a different story. Alcaraz found his rhythm on serve as Michelsen began to tire, and he dropped only one game to close out the match.
“It was slower than indoor, it was tricky to adjust my game, I was frustrated for not being able to play my style, aggressive, the ball didn’t allow me,” Alcaraz said. “I’m happy to understand how I’ve to play for the next matches and getting the win at the end.”
The win extends his streak at ATP 500 level to 17 matches, dating back to his loss to Holger Rune in last year’s Barcelona final. Michelsen, ranked No. 34, remains without a win against a Top 5 player in his career.
Tokyo ATP 500, 1st round matches
C. Alcaraz [1] d. A. Michelsen: 7-6(1), 4-6, 6-1
M. Arnaldi d. R. Sakamoto (WC): 2-6, 6-4, 6-4
D. Shapovalov d. S. Shimabukuro (WC): 7-5, 6-1
A. Tabilo d. T. Paul [7]: 6-1, 6-2
J. Munar (Q) d. J. Faria (LL): 6-7(7), 6-4, 6-3
J. Faria (LL) d. A. Fery: 6-4, 3-6, 6-4
K. Jacquet (SE) d. H. Rune: 6-3, 6-1
L. Darderi d. C. Ruud [6]: 7-6(3), 6-3
U. Humbert d. B. Nakashima [5]: 6-3, 6-2
J. Lehecka d. Z. Bergs: 6-3, 6-7(3), 6-3
M. Berrettini d. A. Davidovich Fokina: 1-6, 7-6(1), 6-4
A. Vallejo (Q) d. R. Jodar [4]: 6-1, 6-3
V. Vacherot [8] d. A. Blockx: 7-6(2), 7-6(4)
S. Tsitsipas (Q) d. T. Etcheverry: 4-6, 6-3, 6-4
A. Fils (Q) d. L. Van Assche: 6-3, 6-2
F. Tiafoe [2] d. K. Nishikori (WC): 6-4, 6-4
Tokyo ATP 500, Round of 16
C. Alcaraz [1] vs M. Arnaldi – Saturday Oct 3
D. Shapovalov vs A. Tabilo – Saturday Oct 3
J. Munar (Q) vs J. Faria (LL) – Friday Oct 2, match 1, from 11:00 AM
K. Jacquet (SE) vs L. Darderi – Friday Oct 2, match 3, not before 4:00 PM
U. Humbert vs J. Lehecka – Saturday Oct 3
M. Berrettini vs A. Vallejo (Q) – Saturday Oct 3
V. Vacherot [8] vs S. Tsitsipas (Q) – Friday Oct 2, match 2, followed by (after match 1)
A. Fils (Q) vs F. Tiafoe [2] – Friday Oct 2, match 4, followed by (after match 3)
