Japan Open: Fritz through to final, seals place in world’s top 10 for first time

American Taylor Fritz, the No 3 seed, defeated Canadian Denis Shapovalov, the No 7 seed, 6-3, 6-7 (5), 6-3 to reach the final of the Japan Open at the Ariake Colosseum in Tokyo on Saturday.

Fritz, ranked No 11, will face American Frances Tiafoe, the No 4 seed, in the final. His win means he will break into the world’s top 10 for the first time when the list is updated on Monday, emulating the achievement of his mother, Kathy May, a former top 10 player.

“It means so much, it’s a massive milestone,” he said. “I want more, I want to go even higher, but top 10 is a huge achievement.”

Quick recovery and turnaround after Covid-19

Fritz had only just made it to Tokyo after missing last week’s event in Seoul when he contracted Covid-19.

It’s pretty amazing what I’ve been able to accomplish this week,” he said. “Just from thinking that I might not even be able to play this tournament to then seven days in a room, wake up at 5 a.m., take a flight here and just show up and play… It’s pretty crazy how quick things happen. It was only four days ago.”

The American won against Australian James Duckworth (6-2, 6-7 (2), 6-1), Japanese lucky loser Hiroki Moriya (6-1, 3-6, 6-4) and Australian Nick Kyrgios, the No 5 seed (W/O) earlier in the tournament.

In the previous rounds of the Tokyo Open, Shapovalov, ranked No 22, beat American Steve Johnson (6-3, 7-6 (3)), Japanese qualifier Rio Noguchi (6-3, 6-1) and Croat Borna Coric, the No 9 seed (6-4, 6-3).

Tokyo ATP 500, other semi-final result (Ariake Colosseum, hard, USD 1.953.285):

• Frances Tiafoe beat SoonWoo Kwon: 6-2, 0-6, 6-4