Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz is one win away from retaining his Japan Open crown after outclassing fellow Spaniard Jaume Munar 5-7, 6-3, 6-1 in Monday's semifinal in Tokyo.
A shaky start, then full control
The 23-year-old gifted the opening set to Munar, handing it over with two shaky service games after leading 5-4. But the seven-time major champion raised his level in the second set, forced a decider, and then ran away with the match, wearing Munar down with relentless shot-making in a 6-1 final set.
Comeback title in sight
The victory takes Alcaraz into his second straight Japan Open final — a shot at his first singles title since returning from a wrist injury. Alcaraz completed the career Grand Slam by winning the Australian Open in February, then sustained the injury two months later. He returned at the US Open, where a quarter-final run suggested a swift return to form, and he has carried that momentum into Tokyo.
Alcaraz will face either Jiri Lehecka or Valentin Vacherot in Tuesday's final.
Sources:
Reuters — Alcaraz rallies past Munar into Japan Open final
TennisUpToDate — Carlos Alcaraz reaches back-to-back Japan Open finals, downs Jaume Munar
A shaky start, then full control
The 23-year-old gifted the opening set to Munar, handing it over with two shaky service games after leading 5-4. But the seven-time major champion raised his level in the second set, forced a decider, and then ran away with the match, wearing Munar down with relentless shot-making in a 6-1 final set.
Comeback title in sight
The victory takes Alcaraz into his second straight Japan Open final — a shot at his first singles title since returning from a wrist injury. Alcaraz completed the career Grand Slam by winning the Australian Open in February, then sustained the injury two months later. He returned at the US Open, where a quarter-final run suggested a swift return to form, and he has carried that momentum into Tokyo.
Alcaraz will face either Jiri Lehecka or Valentin Vacherot in Tuesday's final.
Sources:
Reuters — Alcaraz rallies past Munar into Japan Open final
TennisUpToDate — Carlos Alcaraz reaches back-to-back Japan Open finals, downs Jaume Munar
