Japan Open 2025 Live: Scores, Upsets & How to Watch Today’s Quarter-Final Thrillers

Tokyo—The 2025 Kinoshita Group Japan Open has boiled down to a blockbuster semifinal lineup after another dramatic day at Ariake Coliseum. World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz overpowered Brandon Nakashima 6-3, 6-2 on Sunday evening to record his tour-leading 65th win of the season and secure his first Tokyo semifinal since debuting at the event in 2022. Earlier, Casper Ruud dismantled Matteo Berrettini 6-4, 6-1, while Holger Rune and Taylor Fritz also advanced to keep their title hopes alive. Key results • Carlos Alcaraz def. Brandon Nakashima 6-3, 6-2 • Casper Ruud def. Matteo Berrettini 6-4, 6-1 • Holger Rune def. Alex de Minaur 6-4, 6-2 • Taylor Fritz def. Denis Shapovalov 7-6(4), 6-4 Semifinal schedule (Monday, 30 September) 1. Carlos Alcaraz vs. Holger Rune – not before 14:00 JST 2. Casper Ruud vs. Taylor Fritz – evening session, 18:30 JST What’s at stake • 500 ATP ranking points and ¥170 million (≈US$1.15 million) champion’s cheque • Alcaraz aims for his 8th title of 2025 and first on Asian hard courts. • Ruud looks to clinch a third trophy of the season and break back into the Top 5. • Rune seeks a maiden ATP 500 crown, while Fritz can become the first American winner in Tokyo since Pete Sampras in 1996. Tournament talking points Home hopes dashed: Wild-card Shintaro Mochizuki’s spirited run ended in round two, but his upset of Frances Tiafoe electrified local fans and bodes well for Japan’s Davis Cup squad. Serve vs. return showdown: Rune leads the event with 43 aces; Alcaraz tops the return stats, converting 46 % of break-point chances. Weather watch: With Typhoon Koguma skirting southern Japan, organizers confirmed the Ariake roof will remain closed for all remaining sessions, ensuring uninterrupted play and faster indoor-style conditions. How to watch & live stream • Japan – WOWOW Prime & DAZN from 13:50 JST • USA – Tennis Channel (overnight ET) • UK – Amazon Prime Video, 05:00 BST start • Global – ATP Tour Live TV & official tournament app Social buzz #JapanOpen2025 and #RakutenOpen were trending throughout Sunday as fans debated whether Rune’s aggressive net play can trouble Alcaraz’s all-court brilliance. Path to the final Alcaraz: bye, d. Hijikata 6-2 6-1; d. Auger-Aliassime 6-4 7-5; d. Nakashima 6-3 6-2 Rune: d. Kecmanović 7-6 6-3; d. De Minaur 6-4 6-2 Ruud: d. Mochizuki 4-6 6-1 6-1; d. Berrettini 6-4 6-1 Fritz: d. O’Connell 6-4 6-4; d. Shapovalov 7-6 6-4 Fast facts • First held in 1972, the Japan Open is Asia’s longest-running ATP event. • Six of the last nine Tokyo champions have gone on to qualify for the Nitto ATP Finals. • Court speed is rated medium-fast (42 ITF pace index), historically favoring big servers. Quote of the day “Tokyo feels like home now. The sushi, the crowd, the energy—they give me extra power,” said Alcaraz after punching his semifinal ticket. Up next Monday’s semifinal winners will meet in Tuesday’s championship match, scheduled for 17:00 JST, with trophy and critical late-season ranking points on the line.