Carlos Alcaraz stated he had the “finest physio on this planet” after shrugging off issues about an ankle damage to beat Zizou Bergs within the second spherical of the Japan Open.
The world primary had stated he was “scared” after touchdown awkwardly throughout his first-round win over Sebastian Baez on Thursday.
However the 22-year-old Spaniard regarded in little hassle as he cruised to a 6-4 6-3 victory over unseeded Belgian Bergs to arrange a quarter-final towards Brandon Nakashima in Tokyo.
“I might play, I might say, usually,” stated Alcaraz, who gained the US Open final month.
“I used to be anxious about some actions on the court docket the place I might really feel the ankle, however usually I believe I performed an awesome match.
“I stated earlier than and I will say it once more – I’ve the most effective physio on this planet, who I belief 100%, and the work he has performed for the ankle I believe has been nice.”
Elsewhere, world quantity two Jannik Sinner was taken to 3 units by 23-year-old French qualifier Terence Atmane within the China Open, successful 6-4 5-7 6-0 to achieve the quarter-finals.
The Italian, who misplaced to Alcaraz within the remaining of the US Open however has gained the Australian Open and Wimbledon this season, wobbled within the second set after twice main by a break.
Atmane produced one of many shock runs of the season to achieve the semi-finals of the Cincinnati Masters in August, the place he misplaced to Sinner.
However after powering his approach to a decider in Beijing, he started to wrestle with cramp, permitting Sinner to breeze via the third set to arrange a last-eight match towards Hungary’s Fabian Marozsan.
