[JAPAN SPORTS NOTEBOOK] Tokito Oda Triumphs at Japan Open to Continue Impressive Run in 2023

"I am very happy to have won this year," said Oda, according to The Sankei Shimbun. He was the runner-up to retired legend Shingo Kunieda in the 2022 Japan Open men's final. 

"I was really satisfied with the match," Oda added.

Oda will next compete at the Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, China. The men's wheelchair singles final is on Friday, October 27, and the tournament serves as a qualifier for the 2024 Paris Paralympics.

"I would be happy if I could win a gold medal to confirm my place in Paris," Oda told reporters.

Mochizuki Reaches Japan Open Semifinals

In other tennis news, Shintaro Mochizuki completed a titanic upset on Thursday, October 19, knocking off 10th-ranked American Taylor Fitz in the Japan Open men's singles third round, 6-4, 7-6 (7-2).

Mochizuki is ranked 215th.

In Friday's semifinals, Russian world No 50 Aslan Karatsev ended Mochizuki's title aspirations, winning 6-3, 6-4 at Ariake Colosseum.

With the win, Karatsev advanced to play 19th-ranked Ben Shelton, an American, in Sunday's title match.

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