Top-ranked Carlos Alcaraz powered through the final in Tokyo on Tuesday, defeating No. 5 Taylor Fritz 6-4, 6-4 to lift his fourth Japan Open trophy and eighth singles title of the year. The Spaniard’s relentless baseline game and sharp drop shots gave him the edge over the American.
Alcaraz overcame an ankle injury he picked up in the first round, dropping just one set all week. He sealed the victory with a deft sliced drop shot that Fritz couldn’t reach — a sweet moment of payback after Fritz beat him in straight sets at last week’s Laver Cup.
With the win, Alcaraz improved his season record to a tour-leading 67-7 as he chases the year-end world No. 1 ranking. It was his ninth straight final since March and his 24th career title, highlighting a breakout season defined by consistency and bold shotmaking.
After the triumph, Alcaraz announced he will skip the Shanghai Masters to rest and recover. “I’ve been struggling with some physical issues,” he shared on social media. “After discussing with my team, we believe the best decision is to rest and recover.”
Next stop for the tour is Shanghai, but for now, Alcaraz will focus on regaining full health before returning to the court for the season’s final stretch.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
