The victory sets up a championship match on Tuesday against the winner of the semifinal between Valentin Vacherot and Jiri Lehecka. This appearance in the Tokyo final represents Alcaraz's first opportunity to compete for a title since his return to the tour in late August, where he previously reached the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open.
A dramatic turnaround in Tokyo
The match against Munar, who had previously upset 12th-ranked Taylor Fritz, proved to be a test of resilience for the top seed. After securing an early break in the first set, Alcaraz experienced a sudden and uncharacteristic dip in form. He conceded 16 consecutive points, a streak that spanned the conclusion of the first set and the opening games of the second.
The sequence included consecutive double faults that handed the opening set to Munar. Reflecting on the lapse, Alcaraz admitted he was unsure of the cause, noting his recent trend of struggling during the opening sets of his matches. Despite the pressure, the top seed responded by breaking Munar in the first game of the second set, shifting the momentum firmly in his favor.
Building momentum toward the title
Alcaraz, who has been wearing a compression sleeve on his right arm since his return to competition, regained his rhythm as the match progressed. He noted that staying focused and playing more aggressively in the second set were key factors in rebuilding his confidence. The win keeps his title defense hopes alive, as he aims to retain the trophy he secured in Tokyo last year.
This final appearance is the first for the Spaniard since his defeat to Jannik Sinner at the Monte Carlo Masters in April. As he prepares for Tuesday's final, Alcaraz remains focused on maintaining the form that allowed him to recover from his early deficit and dominate the remainder of the semifinal.
