{
  "id": 11884621,
  "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",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-04T08:10:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "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 hard-fought quarter-final match at the Japan Open, Spain's Carlos Alcaraz defeated Canada's Denis Shapovalov 7-6 (7/3), 2-1 on Sunday, advancing to the semi-finals. Shapovalov had to withdraw from the match after injuring his upper right thigh in the first game of the second set. The world number three will now face fellow Spaniard Jaume Munar in the semi-finals, after Munar defeated 86th-ranked Kyrian Jacquet of France. Alcaraz, who has only played three events since returning from a months-long wrist injury, was troubled by the variety of Shapovalov's game, mixing deep shots with drop shots and power with spin. Despite being down 5-4 in the second set, Alcaraz saved four set points and secured the tie-break with a passing shot, ultimately sealing the victory.",
  "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": [],
  "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",
        "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."
}