{
  "id": 11882983,
  "title": "Alcaraz through to Japan Open semi-finals after Shapovalov injury",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/04/alcaraz-through-to-japan-open-semi-finals-after-shapovalov-injury",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-04T08:10:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today-freemalays",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/sports/2026/10/04/alcaraz-through-to-japan-open-semis-after-shapovalov-injury"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In a thrilling quarter-final match at the Japan Open in Tokyo, Spain's Carlos Alcaraz secured a semi-final spot by defeating Canada's Denis Shapovalov, 7-6 (7/3), 2-1. Alcaraz, the world number three, took advantage of Shapovalov's injury to withdraw from the game after suffering an upper right thigh injury in the first game of the second set. The Canadian, ranked 86th, was replaced by France's Jaume Munar, who went on to eliminate 64th-ranked Kyrian Jacquet. The match was a tight contest, with Alcaraz overcoming a 5-4 deficit in the second set and securing the tie-break with a passing shot. This victory marks Alcaraz's third event since returning from a months-long wrist injury, following his quarter-final appearance at the US Open last month.",
  "summary": "World number three Carlos Alcaraz advances 7-6 (7/3), 2-1 after Canadian Denis Shapovalov retires with an upper thigh injury.",
  "key_points": [
    "Carlos Alcaraz defeats Denis Shapovalov 7-6, 2-1",
    "Shapovalov withdraws due to thigh injury",
    "Alcaraz advances to Japan Open semi-finals"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Alcaraz through to Japan Open semi-finals after Shapovalov injury",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/04/alcaraz-through-to-japan-open-semi-finals-after-shapovalov-injury-11884621",
        "published": "2026-10-04T08:10:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}