Top-ranked Carlos Alcaraz beat No. 5 Taylor Fritz 6-4, 6-4 in the Japan Open final on Tuesday for his eighth singles title this year.
Alcaraz’s 24th career singles title reversed a loss in two sets last week to Fritz at the Laver Cup team event.
The Spaniard also improved his season record to a tour-best 67-7 as he stayed on course for the season-ending No. 1 ranking.
The final in Tokyo was a ninth straight for Alcaraz since March when he lost in the round of 64 at the Miami Masters. He is 7-2 in those finals, with one of those defeats coming at Wimbledon against Jannik Sinner.
“I didn’t start the year that good, struggling emotionally,” Alcaraz acknowledged, “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.”
Fritz took a medical timeout after the first set for treatment on his left thigh which was strapped during a changeover in the second set.