Carlo Alcaraz lifted his eighth trophy of the season on Tuesday at the oddly scheduled Japan Open final, crushing Taylor Fritz 6-4, 6-4 in 92 minutes.

Due to an ATP scheduling experiment seemingly destined to fail, the final was played on Tuesday at the Ariake Colosseum so as to continue an oddball calendar which now allots most Masters events nearly two full weeks instead of the traditional one week.

The Japanese final will be followed by Wednesday’s Beijing China Open final (Jannik Sinner-Learner Tien)  before the mad crush of the Shanghai Masters, which also begins a 12-day run on Wednesday.

Player complaints are growing over  what is turning into a nonstop grind, with the disjointed calendar also confusing to fans.

Alcaraz, who lost barely a week ago to Fritz at the Laver Cup, won their Wimbledon semi-final last July.

The Spaniard claimed his 67 match win of the season as he strengthens his hold on the top ranking he seized from Sinner by winning their US Open final three weeks ago.

“It’s been my best season so far without a doubt,” Alcaraz said. “Eight titles, 10 finals… That shows how hard I’ve worked just to be able to experience these moments and accomplish my goals. 

“I didn’t start the year that good, struggling emotionally, so how I came back from that, I’m just really proud of myself, and of all the people around me who have helped me to be in this position.”

Fritz was treated for a left thigh problem during the quick-fire final, with the big hitter held to just six aces. 

“I’m really happy with the level that I played, with everything. Starting the week not good with the (rolled) ankle  and the way that I came back from that, I’m just really happy about it,” the winner said.

Main photo:-Carlos Alcaraz kisses Japan open Trophy – ©ATPTour.com

Carlos Alcaraz gave his dodgy left ankle a thorough workout on Monday, with the top seed coming back to defeat Casper Ruud 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 to reach the Tuesday final of the Japan Open.

The world No. 1 will continue his Tokyo debut as he plays for his ninth trophy of the season against Taylor Fritz after the Californian booked his spot 6-4, 6-3 over Jenson Brooksby.

Alcaraz played it safe after rolling his ankle in the first round here last week. But the 22-year-old showed he’s on full fitness with his fightback against Norway’s Ruud.

The odd scheduling of the entire Asian swing is designed to give the upcoming Shanghai Masters a clean run at the controversial new 12-to-13-day format.

Complaints have been mounting of the calendar experiment, with the ATP facing player blow-back and fan confusion as classic weekend final scheduling goes out the window in an attempt to generate further tournament profits. 

Fritz and Alcaraz have played twice this season, with the American winning nine days ago at the Laver Cup while Alcaraz took victory in their Wimbledon semi-final.

“I had a lot of chances in the first set; four break points. It’s just about details, so I just tried to be more positive than the first set.

“I was a little bit mad with myself, so I just tried to play with joy again, putting a lot of positive thoughts in my mind.”

The top seed advanced in just over two hours with his 66th victory of 2025.

With his two-hour, eight-minute victory, Alcaraz notched his personal-best 66th 

“I know he’s playing great tennis lately,” Alcaraz said of his final with Fritz. “H’s feeling great and really comfortable on the court. Everything is different since San Francisco…

“But it’s another challenge for me and I’m looking forward to it.”

Fritz accounted for Brooksby with help from 13 aces as he reached his first hard-court final this season

“I served insanely well: High percentage first serves and spots too. It felt like any game that I didn’t hit three aces, he was really outplaying me from the baseline. 

“I was able to hang in on my serve, and then capitalise on that scoreboard pressure.

My serve got me through it.”

Carlos Alcaraz put aside any ankle injury fears as the world No. 1 powered into the Japan Open quarter-finals on Saturday 6-4, 6-3 over Belgian Zizou Bergs.

The Spaniard had rolled his ankle in a first round win this week at the Ariake Colosseum and did not train on Friday as a precaution.

But the top seed showed full fitness in his second match of the autumn Asian swing as he advanced in 79 minutes to lift his season record to 61-6 with seven titles..

“It was tough and it was a really important day and a half I had to recover as good as I could,” Alcaraz said.

“I have the best physio in the world, who I trust 100 per cent. The work he has done for the ankle has been great. I could play normally, which is great.”

He added: “Sometimes I was worried about some movements, when I could feel the ankle, but in general I played some great tennis, a great match.”

Alcaraz now plays Brandon Nakashima, who booked his spot overMarton Fucsovics 7-5, 6-3.

Danish headliner Holger Rune stopped American Ethan Quinn 6-4, 6-2 to put himself own win away from matching his 2024 semi-final here,

“I really sharpened my focus in the start of the sets,” the winner said. “He’s a good player and has some weapons, but it was about trying to take them away from him and play on my terms and making fast starts made me feel better and made me relax more.”

Rune stands 14th in the race to the eight-man season wrapup in November.

Main photo:- Carlos Alcaraz celebrates win – by ATPTour.com