Tiebreak turnaround in Tokyo

On Saturday, 3 October 2026, world number three Carlos Alcaraz advanced to the quarterfinals of the ATP 500 tournament in Tokyo by defeating Italy's Matteo Arnaldi 7-6(6), 6-1. The round of 16 encounter began as an even contest across the opening twelve games, with Arnaldi matching the Spaniard stroke for stroke from the baseline. The 25-year-old Italian from Liguria pushed the defending champion into a tiebreak and quickly established a 6-2 advantage, earning four consecutive set points. Alcaraz responded by winning six consecutive points, wiping out the four-point deficit to claim the tiebreak 8-6 and secure the first set after a sustained test.

Second-set control and match progression

The momentum of the match altered immediately at the beginning of the second set, where Arnaldi surrendered an opening service break. The Italian, ranked 37th in the ATP world rankings, suffered a physical and mental drop after missing four set opportunities, allowing Alcaraz to secure two service breaks. The 23-year-old from El Palmar dictated play throughout the remainder of the set, conceding only one game before closing out the contest 6-1. The entire match lasted one hour and 46 minutes. The victory represented Alcaraz's second win of the tournament, following an opening-round match against American Alex Michelsen where the Spaniard also conceded a set.

Carlos Alcaraz tournament milestones since US Open return
  1. Alcaraz reaches the quarterfinals in New York upon returning to competition
  2. Alcaraz wins both matches he contests
  3. Alcaraz defeats Alex Michelsen after conceding one set
  4. Alcaraz saves four set points to eliminate Matteo Arnaldi 7-6, 6-1
  5. Alcaraz plays Denis Shapovalov in the Tokyo quarterfinals

Tournament path and quarterfinal draw

Tokyo is the third tournament Alcaraz has played since returning to action at the US Open in New York, where he reached the quarterfinal stage. He then competed in the Laver Cup, winning both matches he contested before traveling to Japan to defend the ATP 500 title he captured last year. With the victory over Arnaldi, Alcaraz moves into the quarterfinals on Sunday, 4 October 2026, where he will face Denis Shapovalov. The Canadian reached the round of eight by defeating Chile's Alejandro Tabilo in three sets with a score of 7-5, 3-6, 6-4. Spanish player Jaume Munar also remains in the tournament draw, scheduled to play France's Kyrian Jacquet on Sunday.

ATP singles ranking of featured round of 16 players
Carlos Alcaraz3Matteo Arnaldi37

Grand Slam match format debate

The competition in Tokyo has coincided with wider player discussions concerning whether Grand Slam tournaments should switch from best-of-five sets to best-of-three sets to manage physical workloads and injuries. The four Grand Slam championships (the Australian Open, Roland Garros, Wimbledon, and the US Open) remain the only events operating under the five-set system, while Masters 1000, ATP 500, and ATP 250 tournaments use best-of-three sets. Players such as Daniil Medvedev have advocated for shorter matches, but Alcaraz rejected the concept before his opening match in Japan.

The beauty of Grand Slam tournaments is playing best of five sets. If we remove this, if we switch to competing in three sets, we are ending the legacy of Grand Slams, we are ending Grand Slams themselves.

— Carlos Alcaraz

German competitor Alexander Zverev, who is also competing in the Tokyo field, supported Alcaraz's position during the event.

A Grand Slam is different because we play best of five sets. It is history. It is part of what we do, of why we prepare so thoroughly physically.

— Alexander Zverev

Zverev added that competing across five sets represents the most difficult physical challenge in the sport.