Alcaraz, Lehecka Set for Japan Open Final

Carlos Alcaraz defeated Jiri Lehecka 7-6 (7/4), 6-4 in the Japan Open final on October 6, 2026 at Ariake Tennis Forest Park in Tokyo. The top seed and defending champion took his first title since the Qatar Open in February and his third of the year, including the Australian Open. It was his 27th career title and made him the first man to defend the Japan Open since Pete Sampras in 1994. Lehecka, world No. 19, broke Alcaraz immediately in the first set. Alcaraz broke back midway through and clinched the tiebreaker with two drop shots after trailing 4-2. He broke at 3-3 in the second set and closed out the match, then celebrated emotionally with his team. He had missed the French Open and Wimbledon with a right wrist injury, returned in late August, and reached the US Open quarterfinals. This was his first final since losing to Jannik Sinner at Monte-Carlo in April. Hours before the final, Sinner ended his season early due to a knee injury. Alcaraz is next scheduled for the Shanghai Masters. Outlets differed only on whether Tokyo was his second or third event back.