Taylor Fritz survived a stern test in his Japan Open 2025 opener, edging past Canadian qualifier Gabriel Diallo in a three-set thriller that went the distance in Tokyo. Despite arriving as the No. 2 seed behind Carlos Alcaraz and riding high from an impressive Laver Cup showing, the American admitted he struggled with fatigue and energy levels after a quick turnaround.
Just days after starring at the Laver Cup—where he notched high-profile wins against Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev—Fritz found himself short of rhythm in his first match back on Tour.
“It’s definitely a tough turnaround,” Fritz confessed after booking a second-round clash with Portugal’s Nuno Borges. “The biggest thing for me today was the energy. Last week we had Andre [Agassi] on the bench, the whole team going crazy, and it’s hard to replicate that atmosphere here.”
The 27-year-old also pointed to travel fatigue. “I’m obviously a little jet lagged as well, so that comes into it. I just had to dig deep, find my rhythm and get it going.”
Opportunity opens
Despite his patchy performance, Fritz may have reason for optimism. His section of the draw has already opened up with the early exits of Tomas Machac (No. 5 seed) and Ugo Humbert (No. 6 seed), leaving the World No. 5 as the highest-ranked player in his half.
If he can sharpen up quickly, Fritz could be poised for a deep run in Tokyo.
Hard-court consistency pays off
While Fritz hasn’t lifted a trophy on hard courts this season, his steady results have kept him among the most reliable performers on the surface. The win over Diallo marked his 30th hard-court victory of 2025, adding to a campaign that includes a US Open quarter-final and a third-round showing at the Australian Open.
His only two titles this year have come on grass, triumphing in Stuttgart and Eastbourne, while his last hard-court crown dates back to the 2023 Atlanta Open.
Still, Fritz’s ability to grind through tight matches, even when not at his best, is a sign of maturity. As the tournament progresses, he’ll be hoping the energy dip was just first-round rust.
For Fritz, the Japan Open represents both a test of recovery and an opportunity to cap off his season with a hard-court title. If he can shake off the jet lag and build momentum, the American remains a strong contender in Tokyo.