Alcaraz pays back Fritz and takes the Japan Open title

TOKYO (AP) — Top-ranked Carlos Alcaraz beat No. 5 Taylor Fritz 6-4, 6-4 in the Japan Open final on Tuesday for his eighth singles title this year.

It also could be Alcaraz's last match for a few weeks as he later announced he will skip the Shanghai Masters that opens on Wednesday.

“I’ve been struggling with some physical issues and, after discussing with my team, we believe the best decision is to rest and recover,” Alcaraz wrote in an Instagram post.

He injured an ankle in the first round but overcame that and dropped only one set in Tokyo.

Alcaraz’s 24th career singles title was clinched with a deft, sliced drop shot winner and reversed a loss in two sets last week to Fritz at the Laver Cup team event.

The Spaniard also improved his season record to a tour-best 67-7 as he stayed on course for the season-ending No. 1 ranking.

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

The final in Tokyo was a ninth straight for Alcaraz since March when he lost in the round of 64 at the Miami Masters. He is 7-2 in those finals, one of them at Wimbledon to Jannik Sinner.

“I didn’t start the year that good, struggling emotionally,” Alcaraz acknowledged, "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 took a medical timeout after the first set for treatment on his left thigh which was strapped during a changeover in the second set.

AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis

Spain's Carlos Alcaraz, reacts after defeating United States' Taylor Fritz during the men's final match at the Tokyo ATP 500 tennis tournament at Ariake Coliseum, in Tokyo, Japan, Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Louise Delmotte)

United States' Taylor Fritz plays a shot against Spain's Carlos Alcaraz during the men's final match at the Tokyo ATP 500 tennis tournament at Ariake Coliseum, in Tokyo, Japan, Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Louise Delmotte)

Spain's Carlos Alcaraz, plays a shot against United States' Taylor Fritz during the men's final match at the Tokyo ATP 500 tennis tournament at Ariake Coliseum, in Tokyo, Japan, Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Louise Delmotte)

United States' Taylor Fritz, right, right, congratulated Spain's Carlos Alcaraz after the men's final match at the Tokyo ATP 500 tennis tournament at Ariake Coliseum, in Tokyo, Japan, Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Louise Delmotte)

Spain's Carlos Alcaraz, reacts after defeated United States' Taylor Fritz during the men's final match at the Tokyo ATP 500 tennis tournament at Ariake Coliseum, in Tokyo, Japan, Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Louise Delmotte)

PHOENIX (AP) — Rookie José Fernandez's bunt single in the second inning led to two unearned runs and the Arizona Diamondbacks held on to defeat the Atlanta Braves 2-1 on Saturday night.

With runners at first and second, Fernandez dropped a bunt to the third-base side of the mound. Braves pitcher Bryce Elder picked it up and threw wildly to first, allowing Gabriel Moreno and Nolan Arenado to score.

Michael Soroka (2-0) allowed one run in five innings for the Diamondbacks. He gave up four hits and one run. He threw 91 pitches in walking three and striking out three.

Taylor Clarke, Jonathan Loáisaga, Juan Morillo and Paul Sewald each pitched a 1-2-3 relief inning, with Sewald picking up his third save.

Elder (1-1) still hasn't allowed an earned run this season in 13 innings, but he took the loss on Saturday because of his own error. He pitched seven innings, giving up four hits, walking one and striking out eight.

The Braves’ run came in the second. Mike Yastrzemski led off with a walk, advanced to second on an infield out and scored on Dominic Smith’s two-out single to left.

Neither team had a runner after the fifth inning.

The Braves are playing 13 days in a row to open the season. Even with the loss Saturday, they're 6-3 — a stark contrast to last season’s 0-7 start that the team never really recovered from on the way to a 76-86 season, the franchise’s worst since a 72-90 finish in 2017.

Mauricio Dubón’s leadoff single in the fifth, clocked at 105 mph, went off — or through — the glove of Arizona shortstop Geraldo Perdomo, who had to replace the equipment before play resumed.

Arizona sends RHP Brandon Pfaadt (0-0, 7.50) to the mound in Sunday’s series finale. Atlanta has not yet announced a starter.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Michael Soroka throws against the Atlanta Braves in the first inning of a baseball game, Saturday, April 4, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley (27) celebrates a home run by Atlanta Braves first baseman Matt Olson (28) during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Friday, April 3, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rebecca Noble)

Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Paul Sewald (38) celebrates after defeating the Atlanta Braves during a baseball game, Saturday, April 4, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)