Alcaraz beats Lehecka 7-6, 6-4 to retain Japan Open title, his first trophy since wrist injury layoff

Carlos Alcaraz is back in the winner's circle. The world No. 3 beat Jiri Lehecka 7-6 (4), 6-4 in the Japan Open final in Tokyo on Tuesday (6 October) to defend his title and claim his first trophy since returning from a wrist injury that kept him out for much of the season.

The Spaniard needed 96 minutes at the Ariake Coliseum to lift his third title of 2026, after the Australian Open and Doha, and his first since February. It was only his second tournament back after a four-month absence.

How the final was won

Lehecka, the Czech who has developed into one of the tour's biggest servers, made Alcaraz work for the opening set. Alcaraz fell behind early but broke back, and the set went to a tiebreak. There the Spaniard produced the shots that have defined his career, mixing a sharp return and a trademark drop shot with heavy forehands to take it 7-4.

The second set stayed on serve until 3-3. Alcaraz then built pressure on Lehecka's serve with a run of strong returns, converted the break and served out the match without drama. He was ruthless behind his own delivery, winning 33 of 39 points (85 per cent) when he landed his first serve.

The result extends his lead in the head-to-head with Lehecka to 4-1, according to the ATP.

Joining Edberg and Sampras

By winning back-to-back titles in Tokyo, Alcaraz became only the third man to do so at the event, after Stefan Edberg (1989-1991) and Pete Sampras (1993-1994). He beat Taylor Fritz in last year's final.

The ATP also noted that Alcaraz is now 21-0 at ATP 500 level since losing the 2025 Barcelona final to Holger Rune, an extraordinary run at the tour's second tier of events.

The comeback story

Alcaraz did not play between Barcelona in April and the US Open in late August because of the wrist injury. Tokyo was just his second event since coming back, and he spoke of how much it meant to lift a trophy so soon after his return.

"It is extra special after my injury," he said after the final.

The title also has practical value. Alcaraz moved past Ben Shelton into third place in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin, and he has already qualified for the season-ending Nitto ATP Finals in November.

Next stop: Shanghai

Alcaraz now heads straight to the Shanghai Masters, where he is seeded second behind Alexander Zverev. Jannik Sinner has withdrawn from the event, which leaves Alcaraz as one of the main favourites in a draw that also includes Novak Djokovic, fresh from his own title in Beijing.

Alcaraz has a bye into the second round, where he will face Juan Manuel Cerundolo or a qualifier. He has also avoided Djokovic's section of the draw.

For fans in Malaysia, Shanghai is in the same time zone, so the order of play times apply directly here. The main draw runs until the final on 18 October.

Doubles title for Krajicek and Mektic

In the doubles final in Tokyo, Austin Krajicek and Nikola Mektic beat Theo Arribage and Albano Olivetti 7-6 (5), 5-7, 10-6 in a match tie-break to take the title.

Key takeaways

• Alcaraz beat Lehecka 7-6 (4), 6-4 in 96 minutes to retain the Japan Open title.
• It is his third title of 2026 and his first since his wrist injury layoff between April and August.
• He joins Stefan Edberg and Pete Sampras as the only men to win back-to-back Tokyo titles.
• Alcaraz is 21-0 at ATP 500 level since the 2025 Barcelona final and is now third in the Race To Turin.

FAQ

What was the score in the 2026 Japan Open final? Carlos Alcaraz beat Jiri Lehecka 7-6 (4), 6-4.

How many titles has Alcaraz won in 2026? Three: the Australian Open, Doha and now Tokyo.

When does Alcaraz play next? At the Shanghai Masters, where he is the second seed and has a first-round bye. He will face Juan Manuel Cerundolo or a qualifier in his opening match.

Sources: ATP Tour, Punto de Break, VAVEL, Sofascore, Perfect Tennis