The prestigious ATP 500 tournament continues in the Japanese capital, where Carlos Alcaraz and Casper Ruud faced off on court today. For the Spanish tennis player, this was his sixth meeting with the Norwegian rival, and until now, Alcaraz had the upper hand: he won four out of their previous five matches, including the decisive match at the US Open in 2022.
However, in their most recent head-to-head, which took place during the group stage of the ATP Finals, Ruud came out on top. Now, both athletes are once again fighting for a place in the final, and for Alcaraz, this marks his tenth semifinal this year. Only once, in Indian Wells, did the Spaniard lose at this stage.
A win in today’s match would send Alcaraz to his tenth final of the season and extend an impressive streak—he hasn’t lost in a semifinal since April. After a confident quarterfinal performance against Brandon Nakashima, the Spaniard continues to increase his tally of match wins, reaching 65 victories this year.
At the start of the tournament, Alcaraz suffered an ankle injury, but timely intervention from physiotherapist Juan José Moreno and necessary rest helped him recover. In the following rounds, he managed to defeat Zizou Bergs and Nakashima, not allowing the injury to affect the outcome.
Interestingly, this season Alcaraz and Ruud have not only been rivals, but also played as doubles partners at the Laver Cup. Beyond his sporting achievements, Ruud actively collaborates with a well-known clothing brand, and his most significant titles have been won on Spanish soil—in Barcelona (Godó 2024) and Madrid (Mutua Madrid Open 2025).
Today’s match in Tokyo could become another milestone in a successful season for Alcaraz and a chance for Ruud to strengthen his position in the world rankings. Both athletes are showing a high level of play, making their encounter one of the most anticipated events of the week in the tennis world.
