Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz survived a major scare at the Kinoshita Group Japan Open Tennis Championships, fighting back from 2-6 down in the opening-set tie-break to defeat Matteo Arnaldi and advance to the quarter-finals.
The top-seeded Spaniard looked close to dropping the first set after Arnaldi produced a strong start and forced the set into a tie-break. The Italian quickly opened up a 6-2 lead, giving himself four set points and putting Alcaraz under serious pressure.
Instead of allowing the set to slip away, Alcaraz produced his best tennis when he needed it most.
A backhand winner helped him save the first set point before an unforced error from Arnaldi handed him another opening. Alcaraz then followed with a well-executed drive-volley winner to erase a third set point.
The pressure began to shift as Arnaldi struggled to close out the set. Another error allowed Alcaraz to level the tie-break at 6-6, leaving the defending champion just two points away from completing a remarkable escape.
The pair then produced one of the most memorable rallies of the match. Alcaraz eventually finished it with a backhand smash to earn his first set point, and he made no mistake with the opportunity, taking the opener 7-6(6).
What looked moments earlier like a potential early exit had suddenly turned into a huge psychological advantage for the defending champion.
Arnaldi had pushed Alcaraz to the limit throughout the opening set, but the Spaniard's ability to stay composed while facing four set points allowed him to escape one of the most difficult moments of the match and keep his title defence alive in Tokyo.
