Carlos Alcaraz returned to the winners’ circle in emphatic fashion as the world No. 3 defeated Czech Republic’s Jiri Lehecka 7-6 (7-4), 6-4 in the Japan Open 2026 final in Tokyo on Tuesday. The top seed and defending champion was pushed hard by the world No. 19, but Alcaraz held his nerve in the key moments to successfully defend his title and lift his first trophy since the Qatar Open in February.
The victory was particularly significant after Alcaraz’s lengthy absence with a right wrist injury, which forced him to miss the French Open and Wimbledon. He returned at the US Open in late August, reached the quarter-finals and then featured at the Laver Cup before making his way to Tokyo. The Japan Open triumph is his third title of 2026, after the Australian Open and Qatar Open, and the 27th ATP Tour singles title of his career.
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