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Trending searches · 2026-10-04

Alcaraz vs Shapovalov: Alcaraz Into Japan Open 2026 Semifinal After Retirement

This post was compiled with AI. We checked it against the original articles and announcements, but please confirm details in the linked sources. Trending on Google Trends (US) 5,000+ · (GB) 200+; sources collected 2026-10-04 14:48 (KST).

In one line

Top seed Carlos Alcaraz reached the semifinals of the Japan Open in Tokyo on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026, when Denis Shapovalov retired with Alcaraz leading 7-6, 2-1. His next opponent is fellow Spaniard Jaume Munar, who came through qualifying.

Why the search rose

Google Trends listed "carlos alcaraz" at 5,000+ searches in the US and 200+ in the UK when we checked at 2:10 p.m. Korea time on Oct. 4. The news items attached to the term were about his previous match, including a Field Level Media roundup titled "Carlos Alcaraz fights off 4 set points in Tokyo". The quarterfinal was under way at that moment, so the rise appears to line up with the match itself.

Alcaraz at the 2026 Japan Open

RoundResult
Round 1Michelsen, 7-6, 4-6, 6-1
Round 2Arnaldi, 7-6, 6-1
QuarterfinalShapovalov, 7-6, 2-1 ret.
Semifinalvs Munar, Oct. 5

How the quarterfinal went

The ATP Tour match report and ESPN's scoreboard both record a retirement with Alcaraz one set and 2-1 ahead. The ATP report alone puts the match at 82 minutes and says Shapovalov held a set point on return at 5-4 in the first set, which Alcaraz saved with a drop shot before taking the tiebreak.

Against Matteo Arnaldi on Saturday he had saved four set points in the first-set tiebreak, then won the second set 6-1.

Alcaraz is ranked No. 3 in the world and is the defending champion, having won the title in 2025 on his first appearance in Tokyo. The ATP report counts Sunday's result as his eighth straight win at the event. Shapovalov, ranked No. 46, had beaten Alejandro Tabilo 7-5, 3-6, 6-4 to reach the last eight.

Who is next

What we could not confirm

Sources