Alcaraz hails 'best physio in world' after victory

Carlos Alcaraz said he had nan "best physio successful nan world" aft shrugging disconnected concerns astir an ankle wounded to hit Zizou Bergs successful nan 2nd information of nan Japan Open.

The world number 1 had said he was "scared" aft landing awkwardly during his first-round triumph complete Sebastian Baez connected Thursday.

But nan 22-year-old Spaniard looked successful small problem arsenic he cruised to a 6-4 6-3 triumph complete unseeded Belgian Bergs to group up a quarter-final against Brandon Nakashima successful Tokyo.

"I could play, I would say, normally," said Alcaraz, who won nan US Open past month.

"I was worried astir immoderate movements connected nan tribunal wherever I could consciousness nan ankle, but successful wide I deliberation I played a awesome match.

"I said earlier and I'm going to opportunity it again - I person nan champion physio successful nan world, who I spot 100%, and nan activity he has done for nan ankle I deliberation has been great."

Elsewhere, world number 2 Jannik Sinner was taken to 3 sets by 23-year-old French qualifier Terence Atmane successful nan China Open, winning 6-4 5-7 6-0 to scope nan quarter-finals.

The Italian, who mislaid to Alcaraz successful nan last of nan US Open but has won nan Australian Open and Wimbledon this season, wobbled successful nan 2nd group aft doubly starring by a break.

Atmane produced 1 of nan astonishment runs of nan play to scope nan semi-finals of nan Cincinnati Masters successful August, wherever he mislaid to Sinner.

But aft powering his measurement to a decider successful Beijing, he began to struggle pinch cramp, allowing Sinner to breeze done nan 3rd group to group up a last-eight lucifer against Hungary's Fabian Marozsan.