Alcaraz to start Tokyo title defence against Michelsen

Carlos Alcaraz will begin his Japan Open title defence against Alex Michelsen in the first round of the ATP 500 tournament in Tokyo.

The Spaniard is the top seed in the draw and returns to the tournament where he won his first title last year. Alcaraz defeated Taylor Fritz in the 2025 final to lift the trophy.

His opening opponent this time will be the American - Alex Michelsen, who is ranked 34th in the world. Michelsen arrives in Tokyo after reaching the quarter-finals of the US Open, where he pushed Frances Tiafoe before eventually losing in five sets.

The first-round meeting will also be the first match between Alcaraz and Michelsen. The two players have never faced each other previously.

Alcaraz is placed in the same half of the draw as Taylor Fritz, while a potential meeting with another Spanish player, Rafa Jódar, could only come in the final.

The Japan Open runs from September 30 to October 6 in Tokyo, with Alcaraz looking to successfully defend his title.