Kyrgios withdraws from Japan Open because of knee injury

Posted October 07, 2022 7:00 am

The Associated Press

Denis Shapovalov of Canada celebrates after winning over Borna Coric of Croatia during a singles match in the Rakuten Open tennis championships at Ariake Colosseum Friday, Oct. 7, 2022, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama) The Associated Press

TOKYO (AP) - Taylor Fritz advanced to the Japan Open semifinals after Nick Kyrgios withdrew because of a left knee injury on Friday.

Fritz, who spent a week in quarantine after testing testing positive for COVID-19 in Seoul last week, will next face Denis Shapovalov. The seventh-seeded Canadian defeated Borna Coric 6-4, 6-3.

Frances Tiafoe reached the semifinals by beating Miomir Kecmanovic 6-0, 6-4. Tiafoe, who has not dropped a set in Tokyo, will be making his fourth semifinal appearance this season.

'œI was moving really well. I hit the ball well from the back of the court,'ť Tifoe said. 'œI made it really tough for Miomir today. He played some great tennis. I was lucky enough to get it done in straight sets. Performances like this are big.'ť

Tiafoe will next take on Kwon Soon-woo. The South Korean defeated Pedro Martinez 6-3, 6-0.

Kyrgios' knee injury also forced him to withdraw from the doubles semifinals, where he and partner Thanasi Kokkinakis were scheduled to play Mackenzie McDonald and Marcelo Melo.

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Kwon Soon-woo of South Korea reacts after defeating Pedro Martinez of Spain in a quarterfinal match of the Rakuten Open tennis tournament in Tokyo, Friday, Oct. 7, 2022. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae) The Associated Press

Nick Kyrgios, center, of Australia speaks on a court as he withdrew from the singles match against Taylor Fritz of the U.S. in the Rakuten Open tennis championships at Ariake Colosseum Friday, Oct. 7, 2022, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama) The Associated Press

The image of Australia's Nick Kyrgios is seen on a court signboard in the Rakuten Open tennis championships at Ariake Colosseum Friday, Oct. 7, 2022, in Tokyo. Kyrgios withdrew from the singles match against Taylor Fritz of the U.S. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama) The Associated Press

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