World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz overcame both a drop in focus and an injured Taylor Fritz to secure the Japan Open title 6-4 6-4 on his tournament debut.
The Spaniard, having taken a high-quality first set, saw Fritz battle back in the second after receiving treatment for a leg injury. At 5-1 up, Alcaraz looked to be cruising to the title until a sudden dip in level allowed the American to close the gap to 5-4.
Alcaraz, however, was not to be denied, and a stunning hat-trick of drop shots carried him over the line after 92 minutes to seal his eighth title of the year, and his seventh in his last eight tournaments.
Speaking after the match at the trophy ceremony, Alcaraz heaped praise on the tournament and thanked his physio, Juanjo Moreno, for helping him overcome an ankle issue in his opening match.
“Obviously a special shout out to Juanjo for the work to make me in a good state after the first round. I’m grateful to you for the work that you’re doing and thank you for another amazing week.”
“Thank you for everyone who made this tournament possible. It’s my first year coming here to Tokyo and I felt like home. I can see how special this tournament is for many, many reasons. Thanks, and I’m really grateful for the work you’ve done that I can play this tournamnet…so hopefully see you soon, see you next year.”
Alcaraz created three early break points by nullifying Fritz’s serve, but the American saved them all, helped by a loose forehand from the Spaniard. Soon after, Alcaraz’s frustration showed when he complained to umpire Fergus Murphy at the changeover about a time violation after a gruelling rally.
The annoyance seemed to spark him, as he raced through his next service game to love. Both men were striking at a high level, but at 4-4 Fritz faltered, sending a forehand long to hand over the decisive break. Alcaraz then served out to claim the first set 6-4 in 47 minutes.
After a medical timeout for treatment on his left thigh, Fritz returned clearly hampered, with his service motion compromised. Alcaraz capitalised with an early break and consolidated for 2-0. Though still in discomfort, Fritz steadied to hold serve, while Alcaraz briefly lost focus and faced a break point before recovering for a 3-1 lead.
The lapse seemed to sharpen the Spaniard, who immediately turned up the pressure. He forced two break points, converting the second when Fritz netted to make it 4-1. With momentum on his side, Alcaraz unleashed a flurry of winners to move 5-1 up, leaving Fritz battling bravely to extend the contest.
Nerves perhaps creeping in, Alcaraz played a tentative service game and Fritz earned a break point, converting it with a fizzing backhand winner down the line. The American seized the momentum, capitalising on Alcaraz’s sudden dip to hold serve and close the gap to 5-4.
Asked to serve out once more, Alcaraz steadied himself. Though his level was still below its earlier peak, he produced a dazzling sequence of three drop shots to finally seal victory, and claim title No. 8 for the season.
