Djokovic wins 90th career titles as Fritz increases ATP Finals hopes with 3rd season title

Novak Djokovic and Taylor Fritz lifted trophies at the Astana Open and Japan Open after two-set victories in their final matches.

First up was the all-American final clash at the 2022 Japan Open in Tokyo between Taylor Fritz and Frances Tiafoe. With his previous victory, Fritz secured a spot in the Top 10 of the ATP Rankings and wanted to strengthen his position with yet another win.

Despite being broken first in the first set of the final match, Fritz fought back, and after not using two chances to finish the set in the tenth and twelfth games, he used his first chance in the tie-break, which he won 7-3.

In the second set, Fritz had four break points while not allowing Tiafoe to get any chance to break his serve. But none of those were used, so also the second set was decided in a tie-break.

This time again, Fritz stayed calmer to win the match 7-6(3), 7-6(2) and win his third title of the season. Moreover, in the newest ATP Rankings, he will move to the World No. 8 spot.

The American player will be right behind Novak Djokovic, who played the other final match on Sunday. The 21-time Grand Slam champion took on Stefanos Tsitsipas at the 2022 Astana Open, but their match was a bit less dramatic.

Both players held their serves in the first set, until the Serbian broke and comfortably won 6-3. In the second set, it was again only Djokovic who had break points, and after using his fourth chance to break, he earned a decisive lead that he didn't lose until the match ended.

After an hour and 16 minutes, Djokovic won the match 6-3, 6-4 to secure his 90th career title and strengthen his seventh place in the ATP Rankings and chances to compete at the 2022 ATP Finals.