Carlos Alcaraz wins first title in eight months after injury hell

Carlos Alcaraz is a champion again after eight months without a title, beating Jiri Lehecka to lift the Japan Open trophy in Tokyo on Tuesday.

The 7-6 (4), 6-4 win over the Czech came in only his third tournament back after four and a half months on the sidelines with a wrist injury.

It is the second straight year Alcaraz has taken the title in the Japanese capital.

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.”

The victory is Alcaraz’s first individual title since February. His form was patchy at times during the week, but he finished with a strong performance.

Lehecka, the world number 19, made the sharper start and led 3-1 in the opening set. Alcaraz responded by levelling at 3-3.

The tie-break brought out his full repertoire of crowd-pleasing shots, and he reeled off five points in a row from 2-4 to take it.

The decisive moment in the second set came in the seventh game, when a break put Alcaraz 4-3 ahead. He looked delighted as he clinched the victory.

Alcaraz’s season began in triumph, with a seventh major title at the Australian Open completing the career Grand Slam.

He then lifted the trophy at his next tournament in Doha before the injury lay-off that kept him out for four and a half months.

Alcaraz will now aim to finish the season strongly following the news that his rival Jannik Sinner will not play again in 2026.

Sinner confirmed on Tuesday morning that he has brought his season to a premature end due to a knee injury that has kept him out of action since he won Wimbledon for the first time back in July.