Carlos Alcaraz is through to the semi-final of the Japan Open and one aspect of his game was tipped to become the ‘best ever’ in his quarter-final.
Alcaraz defeated Brandon Nakashima in straight sets to confirm his place in the final four of the Japan Open.
Alcaraz will play Casper Ruud in the semi-final as he looks to follow up his US Open win with a victory in Tokyo.
While Alcaraz has revealed room for improvement in his game, the Spaniard’s forehand has been heavily praised by a pundit.
Carlos Alcaraz’s forehand could become the ‘best ever’
Colin Fleming looked on in awe at Alcaraz’s game against Nakashima and heaped praise on the World No. 1’s forehand.
“When Alcaraz finishes his career, we could be talking about the best forehand ever,” said Fleming on commentary duties for Sky Sports while watching the Spaniard’s match against Nakashima.
“The way it’s evolving and the shot it’s become and I don’t say that lightly. I’m thinking Federer, I’m thinking Del Potro, I’m thinking Nadal,” declared Fleming.
“There’s obviously been some great forehands in different eras, Pete Sampras. He used to lead the running forehand. But all round, The wow factor is part of it, but I’m talking about more the actual quality.
“There isn’t a forehand he can’t hit. There isn’t one forehand. He can flatten it out, he can hit the spin. Low, high, even mix in the drop shot. He can defend with it, attack with it.”
Alcaraz is yet to drop a set at the Japan Open, despite suffering a fall in his opening-round match against Sebastian Baez.
Carlos Alcaraz joins Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic on elite list
Alcaraz’s semi-final appearance at the Japan Open will mark his ninth consecutive semi-final on the ATP Tour.
Nine consecutive semi-finals has not been achieved by anyone other than Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic.
The last time the star suffered an ‘early’ exit at a tournament was the Australian Open, when he was beaten in the quarter-finals by Djokovic.
The 22-year-old has added consistency to a game that was already brimming with weapons to begin with.
