Alcaraz Rallies Past Munar to Set Up Tokyo Title Defence Against Lehecka

Carlos Alcaraz is one win away from his first title since returning from a four-month wrist injury. The defending champion rallied from a set down to defeat fellow Spaniard Jaume Munar 5-7, 6-3, 6-1 in Monday's Japan Open semifinal in Tokyo, reaching the final for the second consecutive year.

Alcaraz looked in trouble after squandering a 5-3 lead in the opener, but he raised his level dramatically in the final two sets, wearing Munar down over two hours and 31 minutes. It continues a pattern of slow starts in Tokyo for the world No. 3, who completed the career Grand Slam by winning the Australian Open in February before his injury layoff.

He will face Jiri Lehecka in Tuesday's final after the Czech cruised past Valentin Vacherot 6-4, 6-2, striking 10 aces and never facing a break point. With his confidence clearly growing since his Laver Cup heroics, Alcaraz will be the strong favourite — but Lehecka's serve makes this a genuine test.