Taylor Fritz avoided an early exit at the Japan Open in Tokyo on Thursday, edging Gabriel Diallo 4-6, 6-3, 7-6(3) in two hours and nine minutes. Diallo finished with a 40-24 edge in winners, but the second-seeded American held firm in the deciding tie-break to move to 3-0 in their head-to-head.
Fritz’s Path to ATP Finals
The result strengthens Fritz’s push to qualify for the season-ending ATP Finals for a second straight year. He sits sixth in the Race to Turin and was runner-up at last year’s finale to Jannik Sinner. Fresh off standout Laver Cup victories over Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev, Fritz said he needed to raise his intensity again in Tokyo. He now owns a 46-17 record this season, trailing only Alcaraz in total wins, and next meets Nuno Borges. Fritz is a former Tokyo champion, having lifted the trophy in 2022.
American players posted a series of wins on the day. Sebastian Korda rallied past Marcos Giron 4-6, 6-3, 7-6(4) to book a meeting with Japanese qualifier Sho Shimabukuro, who upset fifth seed Tomas Machac 6-3, 7-6(4) in his first tour-level match of the year. Jenson Brooksby knocked out sixth seed and 2024 finalist Ugo Humbert 7-6(4), 6-3 and will face Luciano Darderi, who eliminated local favorite Yoshihito Nishioka 7-6(9), 6-3.
Korda, returning from a right shin stress fracture that cost him the grass season, rose seven places to No. 67 in the live rankings. Brooksby recorded his 17th tour-level win of the year and remains on pace to surpass his career-best total of 25 from 2022, when he reached a career-high No. 33.
Brandon Nakashima continued his strong form, coming from behind to defeat Jordan Thompson 6-7(6), 7-6(4), 6-2. Qualifier Ethan Quinn also advanced, ousting fellow American Alex Michelsen 7-5, 6-2. This impressive performance from the American contingent highlights the growing strength of U.S. tennis on the international stage.