“I think I take almost more pride in this one because I feel like, start to finish, I won it, I earned it.” Taylor Fritz was elated over a week ago when he toppled six-time slam winner Carlos Alcaraz in San Francisco. Fighting for Team World at the Laver Cup, the American registered his first-ever ATP win over the World No.1. But can he continue the magic in Tokyo as the two pros will come face to face, yet again? Former pros have got their verdict ready, and there’s not so promising news for Fritz going into the Japan Open summit clash.

In an episode of the Nothing Major podcast, dated September 30, ex-American ATP icons, namely Steve Johnson, Jack Sock, and John Isner, backed Alcaraz over Fritz ahead of their face-off in the Japan Open final on Tuesday. Yes, the American team triumphed over Alcaraz recently at the Laver Cup, but the “Murcian Maverick” is still the favorite. Why? Johnson explained, “I am going to take Carlos in that final over Taylor just because he did lose to him at Laver Cup and he’s gonna want to either right those wrongs or figure out the strategy. So I am going to take Carlos in that final.”

Sock echoed similar sentiments, saying, “I think if Alcaraz is firing on all cylinders and fully healthy, I am still going to side with Carlos. Especially with the way he is playing.” Praising the Spaniard, he added, “I saw on social media. He is playing a video game, PlayStation tennis out there at times. So he is looking comfortable, confident.”

Isner also gave the World No.1 a solid edge while admitting, “I am going Alcaraz favorite. Taylor has to do what he did at San Francisco. He played a perfect match, so you can’t expect him to go out there and play that well again.” Fritz had an 80% first-serve win percentage and won 82% of his second serves. Therefore, he completely dominated the game from start to finish and came out with the victory, with his service becoming the difference.

Alcaraz is playing his maiden campaign in Tokyo. But his dominating form makes him seem like a veteran at the ATP 500 event. Initially, there were potential injury concerns regarding his fitness after he played the first round. Fortunately, there was nothing to worry about. And now, the Spaniard will have only one goal in his mind going into his first-ever Japan Open final.

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Carlos Alcaraz working on “a plan” to defeat Taylor Fritz in Tokyo

Ever since Taylor Fritz beat him at the Laver Cup this month, Carlos Alcaraz has vowed to do one specific thing. After he beat American Brandon Nakashima in the early rounds of the Japan Open, the World No.1 confessed, “I’m just trying not to let the American’s go further.”

After besting Casper Ruud in the semifinal on Monday, Alcaraz revealed his plans for Fritz in the summit clash. The Laver Cup defeat is on his mind, and he will try to settle the score. “He (Fritz) is a very tough player to face, he has evolved a lot. I came here after losing to him in San Francisco, I trained with him on the first day, and I think that practice gave me good feedback on how I should approach the match.”

Alcaraz is surely not underestimating his opponent. While he still leads the H2H tally 3-1 against Fritz, he will look to extend it further. The Spaniard added, “So, I will play my best tomorrow. I will come up with a plan to beat him. His level is very high right now.”

Fritz is a former Japan Open winner, too. In 2022, he bested compatriot Frances Tiafoe in the final, in straight sets, to capture the title. He will look to claim it for the second time on Tuesday. On the other hand, Alcaraz will try to lift his maiden trophy in Tokyo and build solid momentum before stepping into the next campaign at the Shanghai Masters.