Alcaraz title defense and Tokyo surprises

Carlos Alcaraz continues his Japan Open title defense after beating Matteo Arnaldi 7-6(6), 6-1 and moving into the quarterfinal stage against Denis Shapovalov. Jaume Munar also reached his first semifinal of the season by defeating Kyrian Jacquet 6-4, 6-3, while Holger Rune suffered a heavy loss on his return from a 335-day injury absence.