Alcaraz Wins Japan Open for First Title Since Return From Injury
Carlos Alcaraz won his first title since a four-month injury layoff and improved to 3-1 against Jiri Lehecka.
- On Tuesday, third-ranked Carlos Alcaraz defended his Japan Open title in Tokyo, defeating unseeded Jiri Lehecka 7-6 , 6-4 to claim the 27th title of his career.
- The victory follows a 4 1/2-month injury layoff after Alcaraz returned to competition in late August. This marks his third title of the year, following a February win in Doha, Qatar.
- Alcaraz was broken in the opening game but recovered to level at 3-3. Trailing 4-2 in the tiebreaker, he won five straight points to clinch the opening set and control the match.
- Lehecka entered the final on a six-match winning streak and had previously led the Czech Republic past the United States to qualify for the Davis Cup Final 8, but faltered late.
- Earlier this year, Alcaraz won his seventh Grand Slam title at the Australian Open. He is scheduled to play in the Shanghai Masters starting Wednesday.
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Carlos Alcaraz Retains Japan Open Title, Beats Jiri Lehecka in Final After Injury Comeback | 🎾 LatestLY
Carlos Alcaraz, 23, made history on October 6, 2026, by becoming the first player since Pete Sampras in 1994 to successfully defend the Rakuten Japan Open Tennis Championships title. The World No. 3, returning from a four-and-a-half-month wrist injury layoff, secured a hard-fought 7-6(4), 6-4 victory over Jiri Lehecka. 🎾 Carlos Alcaraz Retains Japan Open Title, Beats Jiri Lehecka in Final After Injury Comeback.
The former number 1 and current third placed of the ranking, Carlos Alcaraz, won the ATP 500 of Tokyo, his first title since the injury to the fist that left him away from the circuit for more than four months, after defeating on Tuesday the Czech Jiri Lehecka in two sets, by 7/6 (7/4) and 6/4. It is the 27th title of the Spanish career and the third title won this year, after the Australian and Doha Open, before suffering the injury that drove …
‘It’s been a while’: Carlos Alcaraz becomes first player since Pete Sampras to retain Japan Open
Carlos Alcaraz marked his remarkable comeback by successfully defending his Japan Open title against Jiri Lehecka, winning 7-6(4), 6-4. Delighted to hoist the trophy again, Alcaraz shared insights into the mental resilience required during his five-month recovery from injury. With renewed vigour, he eagerly anticipates competing in the Shanghai Masters next.
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