Frances Tiafoe, Denis Shapovalov tumble in Tokyo openers

Field Level Media|published: Wed 24th September, 11:02 2025

Sep 12, 2025; Delray Beach, FL, USA; Frances Tiafoe of the United States returns a shot against Jiri Lehecka of Czechia in the first rubber of the Davis Cup tie between the USA and Czechia at Delray Beach Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Susan Mullane-Imagn Images

No. 7 seed Dennis Shapovalov and No. 8 Frances Tiafoe let their leads slip away in first-round upsets on Wednesday at the Japan Open in Tokyo.

Shapovalov was up 5-3 in the first set before Germany's Daniel Altmaier rallied to defeat the Canadian 7-5, 6-3. Altmaier saved four of five break points to set up a second-round meeting with either Bosnia's Damir Dzumhur or Australia's Aleksandar Vukic.

Tiafoe won the opening set and seized a 5-4 lead in the deciding set before falling to Hungarian qualifier Marton Fucsovics 3-6, 6-1, 7-5 in two hours and 27 minutes. It was Tiafoe's first first-round hardcourt loss all season (10-1).

In other opening-day action, Italy's Matteo Berrettini earned his first win since May with a 6-4, 6-2 defeat of Spain's Jaume Munar and Portugal's Nuno Borges outlasted Japanese wild card Yosuke Watanuki 2-6, 6-4, 6-1.

--Field Level Media