Carlos Alcaraz Hopes to ‘Change a Couple of Things’ to Gain Laver Cup Revenge Against Taylor Fritz in Tokyo Open Final

Carlos Alcaraz has reached his 9th consecutive tour-level finals.

Carlos Alcaraz Hopes to ‘Change a Couple of Things’ to Gain Laver Cup Revenge Against Taylor Fritz in Tokyo Open Final

Taylor Fritz, Carlos Alcaraz (Image via X/The Tennis Letter)

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Just a week after their meeting at the Laver Cup, Carlos Alcaraz and Taylor Fritz are set to face each other again. The two top seeds will compete in the final of the ATP 500 in Tokyo. The matchup is expected to deliver intensity and drama.

In his press conference after qualifying for the final, Alcaraz spoke about his upcoming opponent. The world No. 1 acknowledged Fritz’s significant improvement in recent months. His remarks showed both respect and anticipation for the contest.

I know he has been playing at a great level of tennis lately. In the Laver Cup, he demonstrated it, against Zverev and against me, and he feels very comfortable and with a lot of confidence on this court, with very good victories. I’m going to try to change a couple of things. It is clear that the speed of the court and the atmosphere are very different from San Francisco, but it will be a new challenge for me. I will try to adapt the good things I’ve done today and change what I didn’t do well in the Laver Cup. He has improved a lot, and it is clear that he is a better player every day that passes. We both flew from the United States together, so on the first day, I practiced against him, which gives me very good information on how to approach this match.

Carlos Alcaraz said in his post-match press conference (H/T: Punto de Break)

Fritz has been impressive throughout the tournament. Alcaraz has also displayed the form expected from a top-ranked player. Both arrive with confidence and momentum, making the clash even more intriguing.

The final will bring together two players at their peak. Alcaraz carries the weight of being world No. 1. Fritz is eager to test his progress against one of the very best. The stage is set for a battle full of energy and sparks.

Carlos Alcaraz joins the Big 3 in a huge milestone

Carlos Alcaraz had to dig deep in his semi-final at the Japan Open. The Spaniard overcame a tough challenge from Casper Ruud to secure a place in the final on his tournament debut in Tokyo. After a shaky start, he rallied to win 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, showing resilience against the fourth seed.

Carlos Alcaraz
Carlos Alcaraz (via the US Open)

This victory booked him a meeting with world No. 5 Taylor Fritz in the title match. It also marked Alcaraz’s ninth straight tournament where he has reached the final. Since his early loss in Miami, the world No. 1 has gone on an impressive run, appearing in championship matches at Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Rome, Roland Garros, Queen’s, Wimbledon, Cincinnati, the US Open, and now Tokyo.

The streak has placed him among tennis greats. Alcaraz has matched Rafael Nadal, Ilie Nastase, and Jimmy Connors, who each reached nine consecutive finals in their careers. Nadal’s run came in 2013, Connors achieved his streak across 1973 and 1974, while Nastase did the same a year earlier. Alcaraz now stands in elite company with these legends.

Only a handful of players have ever surpassed this feat. John McEnroe managed 11 straight finals, Bjorn Borg and Guillermo Vilas each made 13, while Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer reached 17. Ivan Lendl holds the all-time record with 18 consecutive finals in the early 1980s. Alcaraz’s streak is remarkable, but to catch Lendl, he would need to nearly double his current run.

Carlos Alcaraz reaches Tokyo Open final

Spanish star Carlos Alcaraz faced his toughest challenge yet at the Japan Open but rose to the occasion to reach the final. The world No. 1 battled past Casper Ruud in three sets, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, despite fitness concerns and a slow start. His victory set up a championship clash with Taylor Fritz, the former Tokyo winner who beat him recently at the Laver Cup.

Carlos Alcaraz
Carlos Alcaraz (Image via X/Carlos Alcaraz 4K)

The match tested both Alcaraz’s resilience and his recovery from an ankle issue suffered earlier in the tournament. Against Ruud’s heavy topspin and wide angles, the Spaniard initially looked uncomfortable, especially in the first set where his movement was limited. Errors crept into his game, but he steadied himself in the second set with improved serving and sharper shot selection.

Once he found his rhythm, Alcaraz showed why he is ranked at the top. He dominated behind his serve, dropping only a handful of points, and carried that momentum into the final set. Moving more freely and striking with confidence, he erased any doubts about his condition and secured his 66th win of the season — a career-best tally.

For Fritz, the final offers a chance to confirm his strong form, while Alcaraz will look to reverse the outcome of their last meeting. The American’s powerful serve will be a key factor, and Alcaraz will need to maintain the consistency he displayed against Ruud to prevail. Meanwhile, despite defeat, Ruud gained ground in the race to Turin as he continues his push for a place at the ATP Finals.