Alcaraz outclasses Fritz to secure Japan Open title

VIDEO SHOWS: HIGHLIGHTS OF CARLOS ALCARAZ V TAYLOR FRITZ MATCH AT THE JAPAN OPEN  COMPLETE SCRIPT TO FOLLOW SHOWS: TOKYO, JAPAN (SEPTEMBER 30, 2025) (ATP/IMG MEDIA – see restrictions before use) CARLOS ALCARAZ (SPAIN) V TAYLOR FRITZ (UNITED STATES) 6-4 6-4 1. FRITZ WALKING OUT AND WVING 2. ALCARAZ WALKING OUT AND WAVING  FIRST SET  3. FRITZ GOES LONG AND ALCARAZ WINS A POINT/ CROWD CHEERING 4. ALCARAZ WINS A POINT WITH FOREHAND WINNER/ALCARAZ CELEBRATING/ CROWD CHEERING 5. FRITZ WINS A POINT WITH FOREHAND WINNER/ FRITZ CLOSE-UP 6. ALCARAZ BREAKS THE SERVE AND WINS A GAME POINT/ ALCARAZ CLOSE-UP 7. FRITZ NETS THE BALL AND ALCARAZ WINS FIRST SET 6-4/ ALCARAZ CELEBRATING/ ALCARAZ'S TEAM CHEERING SECOND SET 8. FRITZ NETS THE BALL AND ALCARAZ WINS GAME POINT/ ALCARAZ CELEBRATING/ ALCARAZ'S TEAM CHEERING 9. FRITZ NETS THE BALL AND ALCARAZ WINS A POINT/ ALCARAZ CLOSE-UP/CROWD CHEERING 10. ALCARAZ CLOSE-UP 11. FRITZ NETS THE BALL AND ALCARAZ WINS GAME POINT/ ALCARAZ CLOSE-UP 12. ALCARAZ WINS MAYCH 6-4 6-4 WITH A DROP SHOT/ ALCARAZ CLOSE-UP 13. ALCARAZ AND FRITZ SHAKING HANDS WITH EACH OTHER AND CHAIR UMPIRE 14. ALCARAZ ACKNOWLEDGING THE CROWD 15.VARIOUS OF ALCARAZ WITH THE TROPHY STORY: World number one Carlos Alcaraz wore down Taylor Fritz 6-4 6-4 in the Japan Open final on Tuesday to win his eighth title of a spectacular year and further cement his status as a dominant force in the men's game. Victory also earned Alcaraz revenge for a stunning loss to Fritz at the Laver Cup team event in San Francisco this month, the Spaniard's first defeat by the American in four clashes, which came shortly after his triumphant U.S. Open campaign. The 22-year-old had endured a scare after jarring his foot on his Tokyo debut last week, but was beaming as he celebrated his 67th match win this season and 24th tour-level title overall. "It's been a pleasure to be able to play here in Tokyo in front of Japanese fans. I've enjoyed every single second I was on the court (apart from) the five minutes I was on the floor after I hurt my ankle," Alcaraz joked. "I'm really happy with the level that I played and with everything. Starting the week not really good with the ankle, and the way that I came back from that and played a great tournament, great matches." HIGH-QUALITY START After a high-quality startto the match under the roof of the Ariake Colosseum, 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-times 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 with a delicate drop shot for his first Tokyo title. "It's been great, my best season so far without a doubt," said Alcaraz, who defended his French Open title and reached the final Wimbledon final which he lost to Jannik Sinner. His only other final loss this year came in Barcelona, where he was beaten by Dane Holger Rune. "I didn't start the year that good, struggling emotionally, so looking back and how I came back from that, I'm just proud of myself, and of all the people around me who have helped me to be in this position," Alcaraz said. (Production: Suramya Kaushik)

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