The 2025 Japan Open Tennis Championships in Tokyo is shaping up for some thrilling matchups, with World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz and Taylor Fritz potentially facing off again after their recent Laver Cup showdown. The ATP 500 tournament features a 32-player singles draw with eight seeds and no first-round byes.
Top Seeds and Key Absences
The eight seeds for the men’s singles draw are:
- Carlos Alcaraz
- Taylor Fritz
- Holger Rune
- Casper Ruud
- Tomas Machac
- Ugo Humbert
- Denis Shapovalov
- Frances Tiafoe
Arthur Fils, last year’s Japan Open champion, had to withdraw due to a back injury. Other notable withdrawals include Jack Draper, Ben Shelton, Jiri Lehecka, and Alexei Popyrin, opening up the field for fresh talent.
Alcaraz Opens Against Baez
Making his Japan Open debut, Alcaraz will face Sebastian Baez, ranked No. 41, in the first round. The Spaniard holds a 2-0 head-to-head advantage over Baez and will look to build momentum early in Tokyo. Should he advance, Alcaraz is projected to meet either Zizou Bergs or Alejandro Tabilo in round two, followed by a potential quarter-final showdown with eighth seed Frances Tiafoe.
In the semifinals, Alcaraz could face Casper Ruud or Denis Shapovalov, while a possible championship match might pit him against Taylor Fritz, Holger Rune, Tomas Machac, or Ugo Humbert — all positioned in the bottom half of the draw.
Fritz Looks to Extend Form from Laver Cup
Taylor Fritz, who was instrumental in Team World’s Laver Cup victory, scoring five points with singles wins over Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev, will begin his Tokyo campaign against Gabriel Diallo. A second-round clash with Yosuke Watanuki or Nuno Borges looms, followed by a potential quarter-final against fifth seed Tomas Machac.
The American could then meet either Holger Rune or Ugo Humbert in the semifinals, setting the stage for a possible rematch with Alcaraz in the final — a showdown tennis fans have been eagerly anticipating after the dramatic Laver Cup exchanges.
What to Watch
- Alcaraz’s Tokyo debut after US Open glory and Laver Cup action
- Fritz’s attempt to maintain Laver Cup momentum in singles
- Potential high-stakes rematch between Alcaraz and Fritz if both reach the final
- Upsets from unseeded players given the withdrawals in the draw
The Ariake Tennis Forest Park in Tokyo will host all the action from September 24 to 30, promising a week of high-intensity tennis and potential rematches of recent high-profile encounters.