Trophy Time in Tokyo 🏆
On a buzzing night in Ariake Coliseum, top-ranked Carlos Alcaraz brought his A-game, defeating No. 5 Taylor Fritz 6-4, 6-4 to lift the Japan Open trophy. This marks his eighth title of 2023 and the 24th of his career. Fans went wild as he sealed the win with a silky slice drop shot that left Fritz flat-footed.
Ankle Drama and Season Grind 💥
After tweaking his ankle in round one, Alcaraz dropped just one set all tournament. His resilience paid off, especially after last week's straight-sets loss to Fritz at the Laver Cup. Now he's on fire, posting a tour-leading 67-7 record and tightening his grip on the year-end No. 1 spot.
Resting and Recharging ⚡️
Despite the victory buzz, Alcaraz announced he'll skip the Shanghai Masters starting Wednesday to rest and recover, citing lingering physical issues. It's a smart move from a player who has reached nine straight finals since March, with a 7-2 record in those championship matches.
What's Next? Recovery (and More Titles) 🔥
With an epic run in Tokyo behind him, the Spaniard is set to take a break before chasing more glory. One thing's clear: when Alcaraz is at full strength, he's nearly unbeatable.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
