Alcaraz retains Japan Open title with victory over Lehecka

Alcaraz overcame a sluggish start in Tokyo to claim his second consecutive Japan Open title, demonstrating improved form as he continues to rebuild his ranking following time away from competition due to injury. The world number three dominated the second set against Lehecka, who entered the final as an unseeded challenger, after a tightly contested first-set tiebreak that went the Spaniard's way 7-4 in the breaker. The 21-year-old's clinical performance in the latter stages of the match underscored his growing confidence on court and his ability to accelerate when momentum shifts in his favour. Alcaraz's return to peak performance is a notable development for the tennis calendar, particularly as he seeks to regain the consistency that previously established him among the sport's elite competitors. The Japan Open triumph adds to Alcaraz's recent resurgence, signalling a potential acceleration in his recovery trajectory following the wrist injury that had sidelined him for a considerable period earlier this season.