Carlos Alcaraz advanced to the Japan Open second round after overcoming the stern challenge presented by Alex Michelsen on Thursday afternoon.
Alcaraz, who is seeking to become the first man since Pete Sampras in 1994 to defend the Japan Open Men’s Singles title, defeated Michelsen 7-6, 4-6, 6-1 inside the Ariake Coliseum in Tokyo.
With victory, Alcaraz has now extended his winning streak in the Japanese capital to six.
As for Michelsen, the American performed exceptionally well throughout long spells of Thursday’s contest and can consider himself unfortunate not to have walked away with the victory.
The youngster also achieved a rare feat in Tokyo: winning a set against Alcaraz.
Casper Ruud is the only other player to win a set against Carlos Alcaraz at the Japan Open
Alcaraz was almost flawless at the 2025 Japan Open.
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In truth, only one player caused him serious trouble at the event: former world number two Casper Ruud.
Ruud became the first player to take a set off the Spaniard in Tokyo, despite losing 6-3, 3-6, 4-6 in the semi-finals.
“I had a lot of chances in the first set,” Alcaraz noted after the match, as reported by BBC Sport.
“I had four break points if I’m not wrong. It’s just about details, so I just tried to be more positive than the first set.
“I was a little bit mad with myself, so I just tried to play with joy again, putting a lot of positive thoughts in my mind.”
Alcaraz went on to lift the title in Tokyo, defeating Taylor Fritz 6-4, 6-4 in the final.
| Tournament | Opponent | Score |
| 2025 Japan Open | Sebastian Baez | 6-4, 6-2 |
| Zizou Bergs | 6-4, 6-3 | |
| Brandon Nakashima | 6-2, 6-4 | |
| Casper Ruud | 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 | |
| Taylor Fritz | 6-4, 6-4 | |
| 2026 Japan Open | Alex Michelsen | 7-6, 4-6, 6-1 |
Carlos Alcaraz’s next opponent in Japan
After defeating Michelsen, Alcaraz has set up a clash with Italian player Matteo Arnaldi.
Arnaldi, ranked 37th on the circuit, stunned the tennis community in June by reaching the Roland Garros semi-finals.
The Italian player secured his first victory at the 2026 Japan Open on Wednesday, defeating Japanese wildcard Rei Sakamoto 2-6, 6-4, 6-4.
The winner of Alcaraz and Arnaldi will play either Denis Shapovalov or Alejandro Tabilo in the Japan Open quarter-finals.
Shapovalov defeated home favourite Sho Shimabukuro in the first round, while Tabilo stunned seventh seed Tommy Paul.
If Alcaraz advances to the semi-finals in Tokyo, he will play one of Luciano Darderi, Jaume Munar, Jaime Faria and Kyrian Jacquet.
