Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz defeated unseeded Czech Jiri Lehecka 7-6(4), 6-4 in the Japan Open final in Tokyo on Tuesday, retaining his title and continuing his resurgence after a wrist injury that kept him out for nearly five months.
A hard-fought final
The world number three started shakily at Tokyo's Ariake Coliseum, dropping serve in the first game, but soon found his range, breaking Lehecka's serve with a scorching backhand to level at 3-3.
Lehecka held his own in the tiebreak and briefly threatened, but Alcaraz produced a sublime drop shot on his way to sealing the opening set. The seven-time Grand Slam champion took control midway through the second set, breaking for a 4-3 lead before forcing an error on match point.
Third title of the year
The title is Alcaraz's third of 2026, following the Australian Open and the Qatar Open, and his first since February. Sidelined by the wrist injury for nearly five months, the 23-year-old only returned to competition at the US Open in late August, making this Tokyo triumph a significant statement that his comeback is gathering pace.
Sources:
- Reuters: Alcaraz sinks Lehecka to retain Japan Open crown
A hard-fought final
The world number three started shakily at Tokyo's Ariake Coliseum, dropping serve in the first game, but soon found his range, breaking Lehecka's serve with a scorching backhand to level at 3-3.
Lehecka held his own in the tiebreak and briefly threatened, but Alcaraz produced a sublime drop shot on his way to sealing the opening set. The seven-time Grand Slam champion took control midway through the second set, breaking for a 4-3 lead before forcing an error on match point.
Third title of the year
The title is Alcaraz's third of 2026, following the Australian Open and the Qatar Open, and his first since February. Sidelined by the wrist injury for nearly five months, the 23-year-old only returned to competition at the US Open in late August, making this Tokyo triumph a significant statement that his comeback is gathering pace.
Sources:
- Reuters: Alcaraz sinks Lehecka to retain Japan Open crown
