Carlos Alcaraz makes ATP history with latest win in Japan as he sets new all-time record

Carlos Alcaraz reached his ninth consecutive tour-level final at the Japan Open after beating Casper Ruud in three sets, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.

The Spaniard dropped his first set of the tournament against his Laver Cup teammate, but quickly responded to set up a title bout with Taylor Fritz.

His finals streak ranks third in the Open Era, matching Rafael Nadal‘s tally of nine from 2013, and trailing only Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, both of whom reached 17 consecutive championship matches in 2006 and 2016, respectively.

As well as etching his name among the greats, Alcaraz has just set an all-time record with his victory over Ruud in Tokyo.

Carlos Alcaraz makes history with victory over Casper Ruud

Alcaraz is in the best form of his life at the moment, and, outside of the Laver Cup, he is undefeated since Wimbledon.

His recent win streak has seen his career win total reach 275 in just 338 matches, making him the quickest since the inaugural ATP Tour season in 1990 to reach such a sum.

Still just 22 years of age, Alcaraz ranks eighth all-time in win percentage already, with a higher rate than his rival, Jannik Sinner, and tennis legend Rod Laver.

The world number one will hope to increase that number to 276 in the final with Fritz, whom he holds a winning record against.

More Tennis News

Carlos Alcaraz’s head-to-head record against Taylor Fritz

Alcaraz leads the American 3-1 in their head-to-head, with the sole loss coming in San Francisco earlier this month.

The six-time major champion won all three of their bouts before that, including their meeting in the Wimbledon semifinal this year.

In their first two clashes, Alcaraz didn’t drop a set against Fritz, winning comfortably at the 2023 Miami Open and the 2024 Laver Cup.

They will now face off in a final for the very first time, with the Japan Open title up for grabs.

Click here to read article