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Taylor Fritz claims Japan Open win, a result that could hugely impact Novak Djokovic

Originally posted on HITC | By Matthew Johns | Last updated Sep 29, 2025 12:34 PM ET

Taylor Fritz has kept his winning run going, advancing to the Japan Open semifinals.

Fritz’s momentum started after his Laver Cup win over Carlos Alcaraz, and he has carried that form into the Japan Open.

The 27-year-old, a former champion in Tokyo, has taken out Nuno Borges, Gabriel Diallo and Sebastian Korda on his way to another semifinal appearance.

Since June, no player has won more matches than Fritz. His latest victory might even have implications for Novak Djokovic.

Taylor Fritz to move above Djokovic in ATP standings after Japan Open run

Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images

Djokovic overtook Fritz in the ATP rankings after their US Open meeting, moving up to world number four on the back of that win.

But there were only 155 points separating them, and a semifinal appearance in Tokyo was enough for Fritz to move back ahead of the Serbian star.

Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner remain well clear at the top of the live rankings, with Alexander Zverev sitting third and then Fritz and Djokovic just behind.

ATP Rankings	Live Ranking Point Total	Points defending this year
1. Carlos Alcaraz	11,240	500
2. Jannik Sinner	10,550	2,500
3. Alexander Zverev	5,980	1,800
4. Taylor Fritz	4,865	1,210
5. Novak Djokovic	4,830	650

Fritz is currently defending 1,210 points until the end of next season, while Djokovic has just 650.

Even though Fritz is set to pass him for now, he will need strong results over the next year if he wants to hold on to that spot for long.

There is still plenty left on the calendar this year, and ranking shifts still could happen between these two players.

Novak Djokovic drops out of the top four: what this means for his 2025 season

Novak Djokovic, now 38, is playing fewer tournaments than he used to as he manages the latter stage of his career.

Even though he made it to the semifinals at all four Grand Slams this year, Djokovic has dropped out of the top four in the live ATP rankings.

That could be an issue moving forward, as it would mean facing Carlos Alcaraz or Jannik Sinner as early as the quarterfinals in Grand Slams and Masters 1000 events.

Alcaraz and Sinner have both had success against him recently. In fact, they have handed him defeats at three of this year’s majors.

Djokovic has even admitted that he finds it tough to beat them in best-of-five matches these days.

This article first appeared on HITC and was syndicated with permission.

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