Spaniard beats Jiri Lehecka 7-6, 6-4 after shaky start
Jannik Sinner out for rest of year with knee injury
Carlos Alcaraz defeated Jiri Lehecka in the final of the Japan Open to win his first individual title since February. Playing only his third tournament since returning from four and a-half months out with a wrist injury, Alcaraz recovered from a shaky start to defeat Czech Lehecka 7-6, 6-4.
It is a second title in a row in the Japanese capital for Alcaraz, who showed patchy form at times but finished with a strong performance. 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.”
Lehecka, ranked 19th, was sharper at the start and led 3-1 but Alcaraz hit back to level at 3-3 and showed his full repertoire of crowd-pleasing shots in the tie-break, winning five points in a row from 2-4. He made his move in the seventh game of the second set with a break to lead 4-3 and looked delighted after clinching victory.
Alcaraz began the season by winning his seventh major title to complete the career Grand Slam at the Australian Open and also lifted the trophy in his next tournament in Doha before his injury lay-off.
Meanwhile, Jannik Sinner confirmed on Tuesday that he will be out for the rest of the year due to an injured knee.
“On the advice of his medical team, Jannik Sinner will follow a course of treatment for inflammation in his knee,” his team said in a statement. “The decision has been made to have the treatment now to give Jannik the necessary time to recover before beginning preparations for 2027. As a result, Jannik will be unable to compete again during the 2026 season.”
