Taylor Fritz beat fellow American Frances Tiafoe 7-6(3), 7-6(2) in a tense final to win the Japan Open on Sunday and claim his third title of the year.

The two 24-year-olds traded breaks in the opening set before the greater consistency of Fritz took him ahead in the tie-break and he secured it with a cracking forehand.

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The second set was equally intense as Fritz's serve proved impenetrable and Tiafoe bravely defended several break point chances inside Tokyo's Ariake Coliseum.

In the tie-break, Fritz raced into a 6-2 lead with relentless power and accuracy before sealing victory when Tiafoe's forehand went out.

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Fritz, assured of breaking into the top 10 after beating Canada's Denis Shapovalov in the semifinals, also won titles in Eastbourne and Indian this year.

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