Carlos Alcaraz Starts Tokyo Title Defense with Hard-Fought Win
Carlos Alcaraz defeated American Alex Michelsen in three sets to start his title defense at the Tokyo tournament, advancing to the round of 16.
Carlos Alcaraz successfully began his title defense at the Tokyo tournament on Thursday, defeating American Alex Michelsen 6:7(1), 6:4, 1:6 after two hours and 31 minutes. The Spanish tennis star is aiming to defend a career title for the sixth time.
Overcoming Tough Conditions
Alcaraz, currently ranked third in the world, managed to overcome difficult weather conditions and a resilient opponent. Reflecting on the match, he noted the challenges posed by the rain and court conditions.
"I couldn't practice outside until the morning warmup, so it was quite different," Alcaraz said. "The feeling is different. I think the ball comes with more weight. The court is a little bit slower than the indoor court, and I had to adapt my game."
Looking Ahead to the Round of 16
Michelsen pushed the top seed hard, fighting back in the opening sets, but Alcaraz dominated the decisive third set to seal the victory. In the next round on Saturday, the Spaniard will face Italian Matteo Arnaldi.
