Alcaraz wins his 8th trophy of 2025 at Tokyo final, drop-shotting Fritz 6-4, 6-4
Carlos Alcaraz won his eighth title of the season at the Japan Open. The world No. 1 defeated Taylor Fritz in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4, to claim his first title in Tokyo.
Carlos Alcaraz, Tokyo 2025 © Masatoshi Okauchi/Shutterstock
Carlos Alcaraz, the world’s top-ranked player, secured his eighth title of the season on Tuesday with a 6-4, 6-4 victory over Taylor Fritz in the Japan Open final. The Spaniard, who had a bandage wrapped tightly around his left ankle throughout the match, showed remarkable resilience after sustaining the injury in the opening round of the tournament.
The victory served as a measure of revenge for Alcaraz, who had fallen to Fritz just two weekends prior at the Laver Cup in San Francisco. In their first individual tournament meeting since that loss, Alcaraz was in full control, demonstrating the dominant form that has defined his remarkable 2025 season. The win improved his career record against Fritz to 4-1 in their Head2Head series.
The match, contested under the roof of the Ariake Colosseum, was a high-quality affair from the start. Alcaraz, with his explosive forehand and exceptional movement, gradually gained control of the baseline exchanges. He consistently put pressure on Fritz’s serve, and his efforts paid off when he converted his sixth break point of the set to take a 5-4 lead. He then served out the set to close it out 6-4.
Following the first set, Fritz required a medical timeout to receive treatment on his left thigh, which was subsequently strapped. The injury appeared to hamper his movement in the second set, and Alcaraz immediately seized the opportunity, breaking the American in the opening game with a searing forehand. Alcaraz quickly built a commanding 4-1 lead.
Alcaraz’s three consecutive drop shot winners
Despite the injury, Fritz fought bravely, winning three consecutive games to narrow the deficit to 4-5. However, Alcaraz regained his composure when it mattered most, closing out the match with three consecutive drop shot winners.
In his post-match comments, Alcaraz reflected on a challenging but rewarding week. “I’m really happy with the level that I played,” he said. “Starting the week not good with the ankle, and the way that I came back from that, I am just really happy about it”. He also praised his physiotherapist for helping him manage the injury throughout the tournament.
The victory marks Alcaraz’s 67th match win of the season, a personal best, and his 24th career title. With the win, he further solidifies his position atop the ATP Rankings and continues his push to end the year as the world No. 1.
“It’s been my best season so far without a doubt,” Alcaraz said, acknowledging a turnaround from a difficult start to the year. “I didn’t start the year that good, struggling emotionally, so how I came back from that, I am just really proud of myself”.
Fritz’s run to the final, his third ATP 500 final of the season, boosts his chances of qualifying for the season-ending Nitto ATP Finals, moving him to fifth in the PIF ATP Live Race to Turin.
