Alcaraz retains Japan Open crown for first title since wrist injury

Carlos Alcaraz retained the Japan Open title on Tuesday, defeating Jiri Lehecka 7-6 (7-4), 6-4 in Tokyo. The straight-sets victory gave the Spaniard his first singles trophy since February, when he won in Doha, and his first since returning from a wrist injury.

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According to AS, the win was Alcaraz's 27th tour-level singles title and his third of 2026, following victories at the Australian Open and in Doha. That career total puts him level with David Ferrer, with Rafael Nadal and Manuel Orantes the Spanish men still ahead of them on the title list.

The recovery from injury has been a major part of Alcaraz's season. Punto de Break reported that the wrist problem kept him away from competition for four and a half months. Cadena SER reported that Tuesday's title came 36 days after his return at the US Open, ending a wait for a singles trophy that stretched back to February 21.

Lehecka led 3-1 before Alcaraz levelled at 3-3, according to the Press Association report published by the Guardian. The Czech entered the final ranked 19th, while Alcaraz was third in the world, according to the pre-match player information published by Tennis.com.

Alcaraz had also needed a comeback to secure his place in the championship match. Citi Sports reported that he defeated fellow Spaniard Jaume Munar 5-7, 6-3, 6-1 in the semi-finals after a first-set lapse that included losing 16 consecutive points. Earlier in the tournament, he beat Alex Michelsen and Matteo Arnaldi before Denis Shapovalov retired during their quarter-final.

Lehecka reached the final by defeating Zizou Bergs, Ugo Humbert, Adolfo Daniel Vallejo and Valentin Vacherot. His last two victories were particularly decisive: he conceded only two games against Vallejo and beat Vacherot 6-4, 6-2. Citi Sports reported that he lost just four points on serve in the semi-final, but he could not convert that run into the title.

Tokyo added another final to the pair's recent rivalry. ATP Tour records show that Alcaraz also defeated Lehecka in the 2025 Queen's Club final, winning 7-5, 6-7 (5-7), 6-2. His previous Japan Open title came against a different opponent: Taylor Fritz, whom he beat 6-4, 6-4 on his tournament debut last year.