Tiafoe and Fritz ready for the American-only championship in Tokyo

In order to ensure an all-American final against Taylor Fritz at the Japan Open on Saturday, Frances Tiafoe defeated South Korean opponent Kwon Soon-woo 6-2 0-6 6-4. This victory added a little more glimmer to his already brilliant season.

Tiafoe and Fritz ready for the American-only championship in Tokyo

In spite of a subpar second set in his triumph, the American, who made it to his second title-decider of the season and first Grand Slam semi-final in September at the U.S. Open, reached his first semifinal at that tournament in September. I am delighted to advance. It was an unusual match.” In these games, winning is more crucial than looking well or doing well, the athlete remarked.

When Tiafoe started the match, Kwon shown signs of nervousness at times and found it difficult to counter his brilliant combination of precision, touch, and power as the American took the next five games in a row to take the opening set 6-2. The second set, though, was a 6-0 victory for the South Korean.

Fourth-seeded Tiafoe stepped it up in the third, saving both of his break points to serve for the match at 5-2, only to falter again.

The American’s cross-court forehand won the match in the second attempt. In the second semi-final, third-seeded Fritz defeated Denis Shapovalov of Canada 6-3 6-7(5) 6-3. They traded excellent strokes throughout the contest as the first two sets were divided. To earn the break point in the final and go up 5-3, Fritz fell but still hit a beautiful lob shot. He then finished the match with an ace to secure the victory.

His triumph meant that he would make his top 10 debut in the rankings the following week. Fritz will be competing in his third final of the year; he has already won his first two, in Indian Wells and Eastbourne.