Alcaraz beats Lehecka to retain Japan Open title after injury comeback

Carlos Alcaraz has won his first singles title since returning from a lengthy injury layoff, defeating Jiri Lehecka to retain the Japan Open crown in Tokyo.

The Spaniard defeated the Czech player 7-6(4), 6-4 in Tuesday’s final to complete a successful title defence at the ATP 500 tournament.

The victory gave Alcaraz his 27th career title and marked an important milestone after a wrist injury kept him away from competitive tennis for almost five months.

Alcaraz completes comeback in Tokyo

Lehecka made a strong start and put pressure on Alcaraz during the opening set, but the Spaniard held firm before taking the tie-break.

Alcaraz then secured the decisive break in the second set and closed out the match in straight sets.

The 23-year-old had endured a difficult route to the final.

He needed three sets to overcome Alex Michelsen earlier in the tournament and came from a set down to beat fellow Spaniard Jaume Munar 5-7, 6-3, 6-1 in the semi-final.

His victory over Lehecka made him the first man since Pete Sampras in 1993 and 1994 to win consecutive Japan Open titles.

First title since injury layoff

Alcaraz had been sidelined for nearly five months with a wrist injury before returning to competition.

He subsequently reached the US Open quarter-finals and represented Team Europe at the Laver Cup before heading to Tokyo.

The Japan Open triumph is his first singles trophy since making his comeback.

Alcaraz is now expected to turn his attention to the Shanghai Masters as the Asian hard-court swing continues.