TOKYO — Prime-ranked Carlos Alcaraz beat No. 5 Taylor Fritz 6-4, 6-4 within the Japan Open ultimate on Tuesday for his eighth singles title this 12 months.
It additionally might be Alcaraz’s final match for a number of weeks as he later introduced he’ll skip the Shanghai Masters that opens on Wednesday.
“I’ve been battling some bodily points and, after discussing with my staff, we imagine one of the best resolution is to relaxation and recuperate,” Alcaraz wrote in an Instagram put up.
He injured an ankle within the first spherical however overcame that and dropped just one set in Tokyo.
Alcaraz’s twenty fourth profession singles title was clinched with a deft, sliced drop shot winner and reversed a loss in two units final week to Fritz on the Laver Cup staff occasion.
The Spaniard additionally improved his season document to a tour-best 67-7 as he stayed on target for the season-ending No. 1 rating.
“It’s been my finest season to date indubitably,” Alcaraz mentioned. “That exhibits how arduous I’ve labored simply to have the ability to expertise these moments and achieve my targets.”
The ultimate in Tokyo was a ninth straight for Alcaraz since March when he misplaced within the spherical of 64 on the Miami Masters. He’s 7-2 in these finals, one in every of them at Wimbledon to Jannik Sinner.
“I didn’t begin the 12 months that good, struggling emotionally,” Alcaraz acknowledged, “so how I got here again from that, I’m simply actually pleased with myself, and of all of the individuals round me who’ve helped me to be on this place.”
Fritz took a medical timeout after the primary set for therapy on his left thigh which was strapped throughout a changeover within the second set.
