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The 2024 Japan Open is one of the oldest events on the ATP tour. The top players will make their presence felt this year as the tournament takes centre stage on September 25, 2024.
World No. 7 Taylor Fritz will be the top seed at the event followed by Hubert Hurkacz and Casper Ruud. Americans Tommy Paul, Frances Tiafoe and Reilly Opelka will also feature in the main draw of the Japan Open.
World No. 1 Jannik Sinner and World No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz have opted to participate in Beijing this week. They will be joined by the likes of Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev at the China Open.
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Japanese locals Yoshihito Nishioka, Shintaro Mochizuki and Kei Nishikori have received wildcard entries in the main draw. Nishikori is a two-time champion at the Japan Open but is still working towards improving his fitness levels this year.
On that note, let's take a look five favorites who could make a difference in the 2024 Japan Open.
5) Ben Shelton
Ben Shelton has quickly risen up the ranks on the men's tour. His rocketing serve and solid all-around game have given his opponents a tough time so far. After reaching the semifinals in New York last year, Shelton lifted his first title on tour in Tokyo.
The American has chalked up 33 wins from 54 matches this season, including a title-winning run in Houston and a fouth-round finish in Wimbledon. He will enter Tokyo on the back of a runner-up finish in the Laver Cup with Team World. Considering his recent form and record on hardcourts, the defending champion will once again be a threat this year.
4) Jack Draper
Second on the list is Brit No. 1 Jack Draper. Draper is slowly becoming a serious contender on the men's tour. After a runner-up finish in Adelaide, he captured his first title on tour at the Stuttgart Open. The Brit continued to build momentum with a quarterfinal finish in Cincinnati and also reached the last four in New York. Despite a spirited effort against Jannik Sinner, the Italian outfoxed him in three sets, 7-5, 7-6(3), 6-2.
The 22-year-old was ranked outside the top 250 three years back, but is currently among the top 20 players in the world. His versatile all-around game and weighty groundstrokes off both wings allow him to have the upper hand during matches. Draper's game is well suited for the hardcourts in Tokyo and he will be among the favorites to make a significant impact.
3) Casper Ruud
Laver Cup winner Casper Ruud is third on the list of favorites in the Japan Open. Ruud has reached five finals on the ATP tour this year but only managed to win two titles so far. He will be disappointed to miss out on those matches and eager to make an impact in Tokyo.
The Norwegian made amends for his singles loss in the Laver Cup with a brilliant doubles win alongside Carlos Alcaraz. The duo overpowered Frances Tiafoe and Ben Shelton in straight sets to keep Europe's chances alive in Berlin. Ruud will be making his third appearance at the Japan Open and will be among the favorites.
2) Frances Tiafoe
American Frances Tiafoe in next on the list. Tiafoe has been in scintillating form in the last couple of months on tour. Apart from semifinal runs at the Citi Open and the US Open, he also secured runner-up finishes in Houston and Cincinnati. The American has won 14 of his last 18 matches and is expected to continue his promising form in Tokyo.
He will enter the event on the back of a hardfought loss in the Laver Cup with Team World. He outfoxed Daniil Medvedev in the singles bout, but couldn't edge past Alexander Zverev in the second contest. Considering his current match fitness and determination to succeed, he should manage to enter the second week at the Japan Open.
1) Taylor Fritz is the top seed at the Japan Open
Lastly, US Open runner-up Taylor Fritz is the top favorite to go the distance at the Japan Open.
Fritz has had an excellent season so far by amassing 45 wins from 63 matches, including title-winning runs at the Delray Beach Open and the Eastbourne International. He also secured a runner-up finish in Munich and reached his maiden Grand Slam final in New York. Despite a decent effort against Jannik Sinner, he couldn't outsmart the top seed in the title-decider.
The American has showed his potential on all surfaces this year and chalked up consistent results around the globe. He will be aiming to end the season on a high and impress again during the Asian hardcourt swing. Fritz is also close to entering the second ATP Finals of his career and needs about 1700 points to qualify. If he manages to make a deep run in the Japan Open, he could strengthen his grip in the race to Turin in November.
