World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz continued his dominant run at the Rakuten Japan Open Tennis Championships, defeating American Brandon Nakashima in straight sets to book his place in the semifinals.
Alcaraz, who is aiming for his first Japan Open title, looked sharp and composed throughout the quarterfinal clash, using his signature blend of power, speed, and creativity to keep Nakashima on the back foot. The American, despite showing flashes of brilliance with his solid baseline game, was unable to match Alcaraz’s intensity and court coverage.
“It was a really solid performance today,” Alcaraz said in his post-match interview. “Brandon is a tough opponent — he doesn’t give you much rhythm. But I stayed aggressive, served well, and took my chances when they came. I’m happy with how I handled the pressure.”
The victory marks Alcaraz’s third consecutive straight-sets win in Tokyo this week, as he continues to find top form during the Asian hard-court swing. After a brief dip in the summer following a grueling season that included deep runs at Grand Slams and Masters 1000 events, the Spaniard appears refreshed and motivated heading into the final stretch of the 2025 season.
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