World number one Carlos Alcaraz beat Taylor Fritz 6-4 6-4 at the Japan Open to win his eighth ATP title of the year in Tokyo.
Alcaraz, who showed no signs of issue with his ankle after sustaining an injury in the opening round, broke for 5-4 and served out for the first set.
Fritz twice required treatment to his left thigh before returning for the second and Alcaraz seized the opportunity to pile on the pressure.
The American was broken twice and trailed 4-1 but did offer some resistance in the closing stages, chalking one of those off, but didn’t have enough to stop the six-time Grand Slam champion.
Since losing against Jannik Sinner at Wimbledon in July, Alcaraz has won three successive ATP titles – the Cincinnati Open, US Open and Tokyo Open.
It is Alcaraz’s 67th win of the season as he closes in further on Sinner’s tally of 73 wins in 2024.
