Arizona Tribune - Fritz wins Japan Open in close battle with Tiafoe

Third-seeded Fritz claimed the title 7-6 (7/3), 7-6 (7/2), and will break into the top 10 for the first time on Monday with a new ranking of eight.

The 24-year-old described his victory as "really crazy", coming immediately after a week of Covid-19 hotel quarantine in Seoul that forced him to withdraw from the Korea Open.

But his first words on court after winning were for fourth-seeded Tiafoe, also aged 24, who has been in the spotlight since he stunned Rafael Nadal to reach the US Open semi-finals.

"First off, I wanna congratulate Frances on a great week, I mean, he's been on fire recently, and I had to play my absolute best to beat him today," Fritz said.

"We've spent a lot of time together the last couple weeks, he's one of my really close friends, and I'm sure it's not going to be the last time we play for a big-timer."

Both players were in the Rest of the World Team that beat Europe last month at the Laver Cup in London for the first time in the competition's history.

T.Sanchez--AT