The surprise of the tournament “ATP 500” in Tokyo – Shintaro Mochizuki (215 ATP). The 20-year-old Japanese advanced to the semifinals, defeating Australian Oleksii Popyrin (41 ATP), 7-5, 2-6, 7-5.

Shintaro MochizukiPhoto: Yoshio Tsunoda / AFLO / Profimedia

Oleksiy Popyrin knocked out by Shintaro Mochizuki in the quarters at ATP Tokyo

Despite being dominated in the second set by the much more experienced Popyrin, Mochizuki showed a lot of aloneness, and in the awarded sets, he fought his opponent to a level.

The Japanese wildcard saw off Thomas Martin Etcheverry, Taylor Fritz (the top favorite) and Oleksii Popyrin to qualify for the semifinals in spectacular fashion.

In the penultimate act, Shintaro Mochizuki will meet Aslan Karatsev (50 ATP).

The Japan Open will be held from October 16 to 22 on hard, is in the ATP 500 category and has a total prize pool of $2,013,940. The reigning champion is Taylor Fritz, the American is also the top favorite in 2023.