America’s tennis star
Taylor Fritz has been handed a tough
draw
in the first round of the
Japan Open. The ATP 500 event will be organised from September
25 to October 01 where some of the top players in the world will participate to
showcase their talent.
Top-seed America’s Fritz, who lifted the title in 2022, has
been handed a tough draw as he will face France’s young tennis star Arthur
Fils. The 26-year-old will be playing his first ATP event after producing an
impressive performance during the recently concluded US Open. He went on to
become the first American player in 18 years to play in the final of the
mega-event but lost to current world number one Italy’s Jannik Sinner with a score
of 6-3, 6-4, 7-5. It will be the first meeting between the two in professional tennis.
Fritz’s other Laver Cup teammates have also received tough
draws. Defending champion America’s
Ben Shelton, who lifted the title last year
after beating Aslan Karatsev in straight sets with a score of 7-5, 6-1, will
face fellow countryman Reilly Opelka. It will be the second meeting between the
two. In the only previous meeting, which was in the Cincinnati Open earlier this
year, it was Shelton who came out on top in straight sets with a score of 7-6,
7-6.
America’s
Frances Tiafoe, who suffered a heartbreaking defeat
on the last day of the competition to Germany’s Alexander Zverev in the Laver
Cup, will face his fellow countryman Brandon Nakashima. It will be the sixth
meeting between the two. In the previous five meetings, Tiafoe had a clear edge
as he won on all five occasions. Chile’s Alejandro Tabilo, who had an
impressive outing in the Laver Cup for Team World, will face Denmark’s Holger Rune.
In other notable fixtures, US Open 2024 semifinalist Britian’s
young tennis star Jack Draper will face a player from the qualifying round, whereas America’s
Tommy Paul will face Italy’s Matteo Arnaldi.
