Carlos Alcaraz defeats Jiri Lehecka 7-6, 6-4 to claim Japan Open title

Carlos Alcaraz defeated Jiri Lehecka 7-6, 6-4 in the Japan Open final in the Japanese capital on October 6, 2026, securing his first individual title since February. It was his second consecutive title in the Japanese capital.

Playing only his third tournament since returning from four and a-half months out with a wrist injury, Alcaraz recovered from a shaky start to win in straight sets. He began the season by winning his seventh major at the Australian Open to complete the career Grand Slam and also lifted the trophy in his next tournament in Doha before his injury lay-off.

Jiri Lehecka, ranked 19th, was sharper early and led 3-1, but Alcaraz fought back to level at 3-3. The first set went to a tie-break in which Alcaraz produced a run of five points in a row from 2-4 and displayed a range of crowd-pleasing shots.

Alcaraz shifted the momentum again in the second set, breaking in the seventh game to move 4-3 and then holding to close out the match. He appeared visibly pleased after clinching the victory.

The Spaniard told Sky Sports: “I’m really happy to be able to lift a trophy again. It’s been a while and obviously it’s extra special after my injury. “It was a tough week that I didn’t find my best tennis, my best level, but I did find the good solutions and I think that’s what matters in the end. I would say today was the best match of the week, or at least more consistent the level that I played, so I’m just really, really happy.”

Jannik Sinner confirmed on Tuesday that he will be out for the rest of the year due to an injured knee.

“On ‌the advice of his ‌medical team, Jannik Sinner will follow a course of treatment for inflammation in his knee,” his ‌team said in a statement. “The decision has been ​made to have the treatment now to give Jannik the necessary ⁠time to recover before beginning ​preparations ​for 2027. As ​a result, Jannik ​will ‌be unable ​to ​compete again during the 2026 season.”