Alcaraz into Japan semisas Gauff wins in China

Carlos Alcaraz marched into the semi-finals of the Japan Open with an imperious 6-2 6-4 victory over Brandon Nakashima in Tokyo.
The Spanish top seed fired 39 winners and never faced a break point as he brushed aside the American, dismissing any lingering concerns about an ankle injury he sustained in the opening round, reports BBC.
The world number one will face Norwegian fourth seed Casper Ruud in the semi-finals on Monday as he aims for an eighth ATP title of an astonishing season.
“I think I just played unbelievable today, I’m not going to lie,” said Alcaraz.
“I felt like I could do everything on court, playing every shot.”
Elsewhere, Coco Gauff overcame more problems with her serve to edge past Leylah Fernandez in the third round of the China Open in Beijing.
Alcaraz is the clear favourite to pick up a fourth hard court title of the year in Japan, following wins in Rotterdam, the Cincinnati Masters and at the US Open earlier this month.
The 22-year-old six-time Grand Slam champion has also added three titles on clay – at Monte Carlo, Rome and in the French Open at Roland Garros – and one on grass – at Queen’s.
Three of the top four seeds remain in the draw for the semi-finals in Tokyo, however, with third seed Holgar Rune the only high-profile casualty in the quarter-finals.
Denmark’s Rune went down 6-3 6-3 to 24-year-old American Jenson Brooksby, who is set to jump from 86 in the world to at least 57th when the rankings are next updated following his impressive run in Tokyo.
Brooksby will meet compatriot Taylor Fritz after the second seed reached the last four with a 6-3 6-7 (5-7) 6-3 win over another American, Sebastian Korda.
Ruud, meanwhile, will meet Alcaraz after claiming a 6-3 6-2 victory over Australian qualifier Aleksandar Vukic.