Carlos Alcaraz beats Taylor Fritz 6-4, 6-4 to win Japan Open

TOKYO – World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz wore down Taylor Fritz 6-4, 6-4 in the Japan Open final on Sept 30 to win his eighth title of a spectacular 2025 and further cement his status as a dominant force in the men’s game.

Victory also earned Alcaraz, 22, revenge for a stunning loss to Fritz, 27, at the Laver Cup in San Francisco earlier in September, the Spaniard’s first defeat by the American in four clashes, which came shortly after his triumphant US Open campaign.

“It’s been my best season so far without a doubt,” Alcaraz said.

“Eight titles, 10 finals... That shows how hard I’ve worked just to be able to experience these moments and accomplish my goals.

“I didn’t start the year that good, struggling emotionally, so how I came back from that, I’m just really proud of myself and of all the people around me who have helped me to be in this position.”

After a high-quality beginning to the match under the roof of the Ariake Coliseum, Alcaraz edged ahead when Fritz sent his shot long to drop serve for the first time and the top seed was in no mood to relent as he went on to seal the opening set.

Fritz received treatment for a thigh problem before the start of the next set and Alcaraz immediately heaped pressure on the second seed by hitting a blistering forehand to break in the opening game.

The six-time Grand Slam champion quickly built a 4-1 lead, prompting Fritz to throw his racket to the floor in frustration. And although Alcaraz briefly wobbled on serve later, he secured the win for his first Tokyo title.

Elsewhere, Jannik Sinner reached his third China Open final in a row, as defending women’s champion Coco Gauff fought back to beat Belinda Bencic in a spicy contest.

World No. 2 Sinner beat Australia’s Alex de Minaur 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 and is one victory away from a second title in Beijing.

In the final, the 24-year-old Italian will face American teenager Learner Tien, who advanced after eighth-seeded Daniil Medvedev was forced to retire injured with the score at 5-7, 7-5, 4-0 in the 19-year-old’s favour.

Sinner’s only loss on Beijing’s centre Diamond Court has been to great rival Alcaraz, who won the 2024 championship match in three gripping sets.

“It’s a very special place for me. This court has always been amazing,” said Sinner, also beaten by Alcaraz in the recent US Open final.

“Many things were positive finding myself again here, playing the last match of the tournament. It’s great. I’m very happy to be here on court tomorrow,” added Sinner, who has advanced to finals in seven of eight events played in 2025.

Meanwhile, Gauff of the United States beat Swiss Bencic 4-6, 7-6 (7-4), 6-2 and plays 66th-ranked Eva Lys of Germany in the quarter-finals. Lys defeated American McCartney Kessler 4-6, 6-1, 6-2.

“It was a tough match,” the second-seeded Gauf, 21, said. “I had chances in the first to close it out, but overall I’m happy with how I fought. She was being really aggressive.” AFP, REUTERS