Carlos Alcaraz has won the Japan Open for his first title since returning from injury.
The top seed beat Czech Republic’s Jiri Lehecka 7-6(4), 6-4 in the final in Tokyo on Tuesday to defend his title.
It is Alcaraz’s first trophy since the Qatar Open in February and his third title of the year after the Australian Open. It is the 27th tour title of his career and his third tournament back from a four-month wrist injury layoff.
The 23 year old Spaniard, ranked world No.3, had reached the US Open quarter-finals and played the Laver Cup on his comeback before Tokyo.
Lehecka, world No.19, broke Alcaraz in the opening game and led 3-1, but Alcaraz broke back to level at 3-3. The first set went to a tie-break where Alcaraz won five straight points from 2-4 down.
In the second set, Alcaraz secured the decisive break in the seventh game to lead 4-3 and served out the win in 96 minutes.
Alcaraz is now the first man to successfully defend the Japan Open title since Pete Sampras in 1994.
Alcaraz said, “A lot of negative thoughts come to your mind, if you’re going to come back healthy, if you’re going to be the same as before.
“My team and I knew when I came back I was going to be 100 percent healthy. It’s extra special to win again.”
He will next play at the Shanghai Masters starting Wednesday.
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