Carlos Alcaraz secured his seventh ATP Tour title of the season, defeating Taylor Fritz 7-6(3), 6-1 to win the Japan Open in Tokyo on Sunday. The victory marks Alcaraz’s second title in as many weeks, following his triumph in China last week, and solidifies his position as a leading contender for the year-end No. 1 ranking.
The 20-year-old Spaniard faced a stern test in the first set against the American,but ultimately prevailed in a tiebreak before dominating the second. this win is especially notable as Alcaraz continues his impressive late-season form, building momentum heading into the paris Masters and the ATP Finals. Fritz,ranked 10th,put up a strong fight,but was unable to withstand alcaraz’s relentless pressure and superior court coverage.
Alcaraz’s path to the final included victories over Leandro Diez, Marcos giron, and Alexander Zverev. Fritz overcame Shintaro Mochizuki, Nick Kyrgios (walkover), and Ben Shelton to reach the championship match.
Simultaneously occurring, Jannik Sinner is through to the final of the China Open in Beijing after a 6-3 4-6 6-2 victory against Alex de Minaur.Sinner is seeking his second title at the event after winning in 2023. He lost last year’s final to Alcaraz.
Learner Tien will be on the other side of the net in Wednesday’s final after opponent Daniil Medvedev had to retire in the third set of their semi-final. It is indeed the first time the 19-year-old American has reached the final of an ATP Tour event.Russian Medvedev won the opening set 7-5 but that scoreline was reversed as Tien fought back in the second.
Medvedev, who received a $42,500 fine for his behavior at the US Open, struggled with cramp in the third and was involved in a heated exchange with the umpire after being warned for not giving his best effort. “I’m giving my best efforts, I’m telling you,” Medvedev told the supervisor. “Who are you to decide? why is every referee in the world trying to intimidate me? After the US Open, I’m trying to be good. This guy is doing that and I’m supposed to act good?”
World number 52 Tien was leading 4-0 in the decider when Medvedev retired.
