Fritz Faces Diallo in Japan Open Showdown

Tokyo, Japan – Second seed Taylor Fritz will begin his campaign at the 2025 Japan Open against unseeded Canadian player Gabriel Diallo on September 25.

Fritz, who recently performed outstandingly at the Laver Cup, is fresh off victories against Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev, helping Team World secure a 15-9 win. He has had a fantastic season, winning titles in Eastbourne and Stuttgart and reaching the Wimbledon semifinals.

This year, Fritz has registered a total of 685 aces and boasts an impressive 80% win rate on his first serve. He has also been successful at converting 42% of 366 break points throughout the season.

On the other hand, Diallo recently reached a career-high ranking of No. 33 but currently sits at No. 35. His season has been inconsistent, with highlights including winning the Libema title, defeating Zizou Bergs in straight sets, and reaching quarterfinals in Madrid and Mallorca.

Since turning professional in 2023, Diallo’s best Grand Slam result has been reaching the second round, with his latest elimination occurring against Jaume Munar at the US Open. For the season, Diallo has achieved 359 aces and a first-service win rate of 73%.

Fritz has the upper hand in their head-to-head matchups, leading 2-0, having previously defeated Diallo in a five-set match at Wimbledon and in straight sets in Canada. Betting odds reflect Fritz’s status as the favorite at -480, while Diallo is at +360.

With his solid form and extensive big-match experience, Fritz is expected to advance, although Diallo’s aggression may provide a competitive challenge.