Carlos Alcaraz to approach Japan Open final against Taylor Fritz differently than Laver Cup meeting

Carlos Alcarez registered his 66th win of the season with a 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory over Casper Ruud in the semifinals of the Japan Open. The Spaniard didn't look like he was at his best, but he ground out a commendable performance in the end.

After a sub-par first set, the world no. 1 came into his own, hitting nine of his 11 aces in the second set. He also survived two break points in the final set before breaking Ruud in the following game. Speaking about his comeback in the match, Alcaraz said:

"I had a lot of chances during the first set, I had four break points, if I'm not wrong. There was a good point that I missed, it was really close. But I can't change small details, so I just tried to be there, be more positive than I was in the first set. I was a little bit mad with myself, so I just tried to play with more joy and happiness, trying to put a lot of positive thoughts in my mind. I think that was the key that I could turn around the match."

He will now face No. 2 seed Taylor Fritz in the final. The two recently met in the Laver Cup a few days back, where the American secured a comfortable 6-3, 6-2 win. While Alcaraz acknowledged Fritz's current form, he admitted he'll approach the match differently this time.

"I know he's playing great tennis lately, since the Laver Cup. Against me, against Zverev. In this tournament he's looking very comfortable on the court so I would try to change a few things. Obviously, the court, the spin of the court, everything is different from San Francisco. So, it's going to be another challenge for me, I'm excited about it. So, I will try to take the good things that I done today, the good things I did in San Francisco and I'l try to change the match. I'm really excited about playing the match."

In the other semifinal, Fritz beat fellow American Jenson Brooksby 6-4, 6-3.

Alcaraz, who seemed to be carrying a slight niggle in his ankle since his quarterfinal match against Brandon Nakashima, will have to be at his best against Taylor Fritz, who will play the 19th final of his career.