First-round action at the Japan Open in Tokyo is set to commence on Wednesday with exciting matchups, including Frances Tiafoe versus Marton Fucsovics and Matteo Berrettini against Jaume Munar.
Frances Tiafoe and Marton Fucsovics will meet for the fifth time in their careers in this opening round. While Fucsovics initially held a head-to-head advantage, Tiafoe turned the tables with victories at the 2020 U.S. Open and the 2023 grass-court event in Stuttgart. Currently, Tiafoe appears to have a slight edge given his more consistent performance. Despite facing disappointment during the North American summer hard-court season, Tiafoe’s overall form this year has been commendable. In contrast, Fucsovics has had an erratic run, following his Winston-Salem victory with early exits in New York and Davis Cup play. The prediction is for Tiafoe to prevail in straight sets.
In another intriguing match, Matteo Berrettini, who has been plagued by injuries recently, faces Jaume Munar. Berrettini, ranked 56th, has struggled to regain his form, having won just two matches since the clay-court season. His last triumph was during the Rome Masters, and subsequent outings, including Wimbledon and Hangzhou, ended in early exits. Munar, the 40th-ranked Spaniard, comes into this match on a stronger footing with an impressive hard-court season, highlighted by semifinal appearances in Hong Kong and Dallas, as well as a quarterfinal at Winston-Salem and a fourth-round showing at the U.S. Open. This match represents a significant opportunity for Munar, given Berrettini’s current vulnerabilities. As Munar excels in long rallies, he is well-positioned to take advantage of Berrettini’s lack of match fitness.
As the Japan Open gets underway, tennis fans can look forward to seeing how these storylines develop, with players battling for early success on the Tokyo courts.