MATCH REPORT | 2024 ATP Japan Open: Top seed Taylor Fritz dumped out in opening round by Arthur Fils

On a day that sees many of the top names begin their campaigns at the Japan Open, Taylor Fritz won't take any further part after being knocked out in the opening round in a tough assignment against Arthur Fils 4-6, 6-3, 3-6.

Fils of course is a bit of an anomaly as one of the main players who is only just unseeded that players like Fritz will want to avoid facing and that was the case again as he lost in exactly two hours.

It has been an interesting few weeks for Fritz having reached the final of the US Open. He also played Laver Cup last week so hasn't been short of action. But also what could explain today's loss is a hungry player and a perhaps jaded Fritz. He admitted to injury issues last week with his shoulder playing up.

"Yeah, something with the balls, I have been having some tightness in my left shoulder. Noticed it after the first day, more like from hitting backhands. I think it's tight and I struggled to toss the ball a bit," he said. As a result he needed painkillers in order to solve it mid match.

He had to produce a comeback to even stay in the tie with Fils gaining a narrow break in the opening set 4-3 with no such retort back from Fritz. It was back and forth in the next set with neither player realistically giving an inch until Fils was broken when he looked to make it 4-4 and mount a push towards the finishing line.

But Fils rallied and broke at a pivotal time at 4-2 up before going one away and he served it out at 6-3 to move through. A damning loss for Fritz but also not unexpected given the calibre of opponent and recent struggles since the highest of highs in his career.