Carlos Alcaraz dropped 16 straight points in Tokyo. He still fought back to reach the Japan Open final.
The world number 3 beat fellow Spaniard Jaume Munar in the semifinal. He won the match 5-7, 6-3, 6-1. Alcaraz will now face 19th-ranked Jiri Lehecka in today’s final.
A Rocky Road Back From Injury
This marks Alcaraz’s first final since returning from injury. He missed four and a half months with a right wrist problem. The Japan Open is only his third event back.
He played the US Open after his return. He also competed at the Laver Cup, though only in one match there. Tokyo represents a bigger test of his recovery so far.
A Match Full of Swings
Alcaraz started strong against Munar. He led 5-3 in the opening set. Then everything unraveled quickly for him.
Munar won the next four games in a row. He took the opening set from Alcaraz. The Spaniard also had four double faults during the match. One came while defending a crucial set point.
Despite the rough stretch, Alcaraz regrouped. He took the second and third sets convincingly. That comeback secured his spot in the final.
Alcaraz Admits He’s Not Quite Himself Yet
After the match, Alcaraz spoke honestly about his current form. He said things feel different compared to last season. Last year, he finished as the year-end world number one.
“I’m trying to get my level back,” Alcaraz said. He added that he still feels far from his best form right now. Consistency remains the biggest issue, according to the Spaniard himself.
He said finding that consistency again is now his main priority. Alcaraz wants to rebuild it as quickly as possible.
What Comes Next
Alcaraz now turns his attention to today’s final against Lehecka. The Czech player is currently ranked 19th in the world. A win would mark a significant milestone in his comeback.
Tennis fans will be watching closely for signs of his old form returning. His wrist injury kept him out for a significant stretch this year. This Tokyo run already shows real progress, regardless of today’s result.
Editor’s Note
Coming back from a long injury layoff rarely happens smoothly, even for elite champions. Losing 16 points in a row would rattle most players completely. The fact that Alcaraz still found a way to win says something about his mentality. Whether or not he lifts the trophy today, this week looks like a genuine step forward in his recovery.
This information is accurate as of 10:00 AM JST, October 6, 2026, and reflects the match schedule as of writing.
According to Fox Sports, Olympics.com, and The Right News
We aim to provide accurate, reliable, and current information. If you spot an error in this article, please contact us at support@digieh.com or read our Corrections Policy and we’ll correct it as soon as possible.
