Alcaraz steals Arnaldi's soul

Fernando Murciego - 3 Oct 2026 | 08:17
ATP Carlos Alcaraz Matteo Arnaldi ATP Tokio 2026

The player from Murcia saved four set points in a strong start to the match where the Italian was the best on the court. Once the storm had passed, the rest of the match was a formality for Carlitos, who is now in the quarter-finals in Tokyo.

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Carlos Alcaraz knows how to endure against Arnaldi to advance another round in the ATP Tokyo. Source: TennisTV

Carlos Alcaraz is learning one of those lessons that only difficult matches can teach: it is not always necessary to play better to win. Sometimes it is enough to endure, wait for the moment, and when the opportunity arises, have the cold blood of champions. That’s what he did this Friday against Matteo Arnaldi in the round of 16 of the ATP 500 in Tokyo.

This morning's match will be remembered by Carlitos for how he managed to survive a first set that he practically had lost, win an impossible tiebreak, and then turn the match into a walk (7-6, 6-1). The Italian was better for much of that first hour. It is true that Alcaraz started by breaking serve, but that was nothing more than a mirage. Arnaldi showed his best version, being aggressive, brave, unafraid to take the initiative, and at times even superior from the baseline. Meanwhile, Alcaraz was particularly struggling with his second serve, making too many errors with his forehand and appearing somewhat rushed. His first serve was, at many moments, the lifeline to cling to. Everything pointed to a dangerous outcome until the tiebreak arrived.

The moment that sank Arnaldi and elevated Alcaraz

Arnaldi went up 5-1 in the tiebreak. He even went up 6-2. Four set points for the Italian. Four opportunities to put the match exactly where he wanted... but then the Alcaraz showed up that only appears when things get tough. The Murcian stopped missing, started playing impossible points, and turned every exchange into a small torture for his opponent. Arnaldi went from having the set in the bag to not knowing where it was slipping away.

Alcaraz won six consecutive points to close the tiebreak 8-6. A blow on the table that would have crushed anyone. Because Arnaldi had played better, had done almost everything necessary, and yet walked to the locker room with a lost set. Tennis sometimes also involves knowing how to tip the scales when the opportunity arises. And that blow was too big for the Italian.

The feeling during the early moments of the second set was that Arnaldi needed time to wipe the slate clean, but the problem was that Alcaraz was not willing to give him any. In just five minutes, the Spaniard was already leading 3-0. From that point on, the match ceased to exist. Arnaldi could continue to play good points, but there was no longer any emotional response. Alcaraz had found the confidence that he lacked for much of the first set, and the Italian simply started counting the minutes until he could head for the shower. A 6-1 confirmed a reality as contundent as it was unexpected just half an hour earlier.

Alcaraz was not the best for the first hour, but he knew how to suffer, grit his teeth, and above all, take the soul from his opponent when he had the chance. After that, there was no history. In the quarter-finals, Denis Shapovalov awaits, who defeated Alejandro Tabilo in three sets in the previous round.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Alcaraz le roba el alma a Arnaldi