The victory serves as a major boost for Alcaraz, who had been sidelined for four-and-a-half months due to a right wrist injury. Since returning to the tour in late August, the 27-time career title winner has been managing his recovery while wearing a compression sleeve on his right arm. His comeback included a run to the quarterfinals at the US Open, where he was eventually eliminated by Ben Shelton in a late-night encounter.
A Resilient Performance in Tokyo
The final against Lehecka proved to be a test of composure for the defending champion. Alcaraz faced an immediate setback when he was broken in the opening game of the match. However, he steadily worked his way back into contention, leveling the score at 3-3 to force a competitive opening set.
The tiebreaker highlighted the intensity of the contest. After falling behind 4-2, Alcaraz surged back by claiming five consecutive points. His performance in the tiebreaker was defined by a remarkable recovery from a difficult shot at his feet following a net cord from Lehecka. He followed this with a powerful forehand return and a precise drop-shot winner, ultimately forcing two backhand errors from his opponent to seal the set.
Momentum and Future Outlook
The second set saw Alcaraz maintain his momentum, securing a crucial break midway through the frame. He remained clinical on his serve, closing out the match at love on his first championship point. For Lehecka, the defeat ended a strong six-match winning streak that had seen him excel in both the Davis Cup and his earlier rounds in Tokyo.
This victory marks Alcaraz’s third title of the year, following his success at the Australian Open—where he claimed his seventh Grand Slam—and his win in Doha back in February. Having successfully navigated his return to the court, the Spaniard continues to re-establish his presence at the top of the men's game.
