Watch as Alcaraz and Fritz clash in a thrilling showdown this afternoon in Tokyo.

Making his debut at the ATP 500 Tokyo event, the newly crowned US Open champion, newly ranked world number one, and all-around Spanish warrior Alcaraz surprisingly twisted his left ankle in the fifth game of the first set in the opening round! At that moment, including Alcaraz himself, millions of fans worldwide were anxious, wondering if he could finish the first-round match.

However, the six-time Grand Slam champion Alcaraz, refusing to leave the court despite the injury, proved exceptional; not only did he persevere through the pain, but he also won four consecutive matches in one go, advancing to today’s 5 PM ATP 500 Tokyo final.

What was lost in one place was gained in another. In the previous four matches, playing through injury, Alcaraz was forced to adjust his tactics to minimize further damage and avoid re-injury by speeding up his shot rhythm, increasing offensive power, reducing baseline rallies, and skillfully using drop shots and net approaches.

This strategic adjustment proved highly effective. Not only did Alcaraz avoid worsening his injury, but he also defeated increasingly formidable opponents: Argentina’s Baez, Belgium’s young talent Berghes, the US-based Japanese-American Brandon Nakashima, and Norway’s rising star Ruud. Alcaraz’s forehand and backhand attacks became smoother and more powerful; his excellent touch with drop shots and net play left his four adversaries frustrated and helpless.

At 5 PM today, in the ATP 500 Tokyo final, Spain’s versatile warrior Alcaraz faces the challenge of American dad Fritz. This match features the world number one against the current number four, the tournament’s top two seeds meeting in the final, eagerly anticipated by all.

After losing in four sets to defending champion Alcaraz in the 2025 Wimbledon semifinals, Fritz, having suffered three consecutive career defeats to Alcaraz, expressed his frustration: “I would rather face world number one Sinner than Alcaraz. He can play so many different styles and uses various methods to score points. I am especially impressed by his net game. Even in crucial points, he dares to make delicate shots, almost never missing. Being able to control so finely under immense pressure is remarkable and astonishing.”

However, on September 20th, during the second day of the 2025 Laver Cup exhibition, world team’s top player Fritz faced Europe’s number one Alcaraz. This was Alcaraz’s first match after reclaiming the US Open title and returning to world number one, carrying great significance. Unexpectedly, Fritz swept the world number one Alcaraz with a decisive 6–3, 6–2 victory, playing a key role in securing the Laver Cup for the world team.

Initially hesitant and reluctant to face Alcaraz, Fritz quickly and cleanly defeated him in straight sets, signaling that even a prodigious talent and reigning world number one like Alcaraz is not invincible, as he too has weaknesses and fluctuations in form.

Today at 5 PM, after ten days, they move from San Francisco, USA, to Tokyo, Japan, to meet for the fifth time in their careers across the net. In the last Laver Cup exhibition, Alcaraz suffered a heavy defeat to Fritz, a wake-up call for the new world number one. In this ATP tour final, despite battling with a left ankle injury, can Alcaraz emulate his predecessor Nadal, the Spanish legend, who fought through an abdominal muscle tear to defeat Fritz in the 2022 Wimbledon quarterfinals after a grueling five-set match?

Watch as Alcaraz and Fritz display their skills and fiercely compete in today’s Tokyo final!

(Source: Tennis Home, Author: Seven-Color Bean Fan)