Carlos Alcaraz reached the Japan Open 2026 semifinals for the second consecutive year after Denis Shapovalov was forced to retire with an injury during their quarterfinal in Tokyo on Sunday.
The top-seeded Spaniard was leading 7-6(3), 2-1 when Shapovalov ended the match after suffering an injury to his upper right thigh at the start of the second set. The Canadian received treatment but was unable to continue, handing Alcaraz a place in the last four.
The match had been a closely contested battle before Shapovalov’s retirement. The Canadian pushed Alcaraz throughout the opening set, mixing deep groundstrokes and drop shots and making the Spaniard work hard for every game.
The defending champion Alcaraz eventually edged the opening set in a tiebreak after saving a set point at 5-4. He then took a 2-1 lead in the second set before Shapovalov’s injury brought the contest to an early end. The match lasted 82 minutes.
Not how it deserved to end 😮 Denis Shapovalov is forced to retire through injury with Carlos Alcaraz leading 7-6 2-1 #japanopentennis https://t.co/3vWWXDvb5H
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) October 4, 2026
Denis Shapovalov Forced to Retire After Injury
Shapovalov appeared to hurt his upper right thigh while playing the opening game of the second set. After receiving treatment away from the court, the Canadian attempted to continue but was clearly restricted.
“Be back soon Denis” #japanopentennis https://t.co/P4usAXgGFo
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) October 4, 2026
He eventually decided he could not go on, allowing Alcaraz to progress without completing the quarterfinal.
Alcaraz acknowledged the unfortunate circumstances by writing “Be back soon Denis” on the camera lens after the match.
Un desenlace que no deseábamos ❤️🩹 Alcaraz avanza a semifinales tras la retirada por lesión de Shapovalov. ¡Recupérate pronto, Denis! @japanopentennis | #KinoshitaJOTennis https://t.co/GwqKckhTGp
— ATP Tour en Español (@ATPTour_ES) October 4, 2026
Alcaraz’s Tokyo Run Before the Quarterfinal
Alcaraz began his campaign with a three-set victory over Alex Michelsen, recovering after dropping the second set to win 7-6(1), 4-6, 6-1.
The defending champion then defeated Matteo Arnaldi in the round of 16. Alcaraz had to fight through a tight opening set, saving four set points in the tiebreak before eventually winning 7-6(6), 6-1.
That victory set up his quarterfinal against Shapovalov, who had reached the last eight after beating Alejandro Tabilo 7-5, 3-6, 6-4.
Carlos Alcaraz vs Jaume Munar in Tokyo Semifinal
Alcaraz will face fellow Spaniard Jaume Munar in the semifinal on Monday, October 5.
Munar, ranked No. 64 in the world, continued his impressive run after coming through qualifying and defeated France’s Kyrian Jacquet 6-4, 6-2 in the quarterfinals. The semifinal is scheduled for Monday at 4:00 p.m. local time in Tokyo.
The meeting will also guarantee a Spanish player in the Japan Open final for a second straight season. Alcaraz leads Munar 3-1 in their career head-to-head, with their most recent meeting coming in London in 2025.
For Alcaraz, the semifinal will provide another test as he continues to build his form after returning from a lengthy wrist injury layoff. The Tokyo tournament is only his third event since his return, following his run to the US Open quarterfinals last month.
