Alcaraz beats Arnaldi to reach 3rd round at Japan Open

Top-seeded Carlos Alcaraz defeated Matteo Arnaldi 7-6 (6), 6-1 on Saturday in the second round of the Japan Open in Tokyo. The straight-sets victory marks another positive step in Alcaraz's return to the court following a four-month absence caused by a wrist injury.

Alcaraz recently competed at the Laver Cup, where he helped Team Europe secure the title by defeating Taylor Fritz, following a quarterfinal exit to Ben Shelton at the US Open. Alcaraz will face Denis Shapovalov in the quarterfinals after Shapovalov edged Alejandro Tabilo 7-5, 3-6, 6-4.