Daijiworld Media Network - Tokyo

Tokyo, Oct 6: Carlos Alcaraz overcame an impressive Jiri Lehecka 7-6(4), 6-4 in the Japan Open final at Ariake Coliseum here on Tuesday to successfully defend his title.

Alcaraz was broken early and was pushed all the way in the opening set, but the Spaniard held his nerve to complete the 96-minute victory over the Czech player.

With the win, Alcaraz became only the third man to successfully defend the Japan Open title and the first since 1994. Before him, Stefan Edberg and Pete Sampras were the only players to win back-to-back titles in Tokyo. Edberg won three successive titles from 1989 to 1991, while Sampras triumphed in 1993 and 1994.

The title is also Alcaraz's first trophy since February, following a lengthy spell on the sidelines due to a wrist injury. The Spaniard said he was delighted to return to winning ways.

“I’m really happy to be able to lift a trophy again,” Alcaraz said after the win, as quoted by ATP. “It’s been a while, and obviously it is extra special after my injury. My comeback, in the second tournament that I’ve played, lifting a trophy means a lot.

“I’m really happy about it. A tough week. I didn’t find my best level, but I did find the good solutions, and I think that is what matters at the end. Playing the most important points the best you can. I think I did it this week. I would say today was the best match of the week, or at least more consistent, the level that I played,” he added.

Alcaraz lost his serve in the opening game but immediately fought back and broke World No. 19 Lehecka to level the first set at 3-3. The set went into a tie-break, where Alcaraz trailed 2-4 before winning the next points to take the set.

The Spaniard then secured a crucial break in the second set and held his serve to close out the match and claim the title.

Alcaraz also admitted that he had doubts about whether he would be able to win another trophy during his injury layoff.

“Obviously, a lot of negative thoughts come to your mind. If you are going to come back healthy, if you are going to come back the same as I was before.

“If I will be able to hit the ball normally without pain at all. A lot of thoughts came to my mind, but I tried to put those thoughts away all the time.

“My team and I knew that if I come back I was going to feel 100 per cent. If I feel something, [the comeback is] not going to be anything, so I just have to go full for every shot, every ball, and I trust [my team], I trust myself, and it worked out,” he added.