Alcaraz Overcomes 16-Point Slide To Reach Japan Open Final

Carlos Alcaraz overcame a remarkable 16-point losing streak to beat fellow Spaniard Jaume Munar 5-7, 6-3, 6-1 and reach the Japan Open final on Monday.

The third-ranked Alcaraz will face 19th-ranked Jiri Lehecka in Tuesday’s final as he looks to win his first title since returning from a four-and-a-half-month layoff caused by a right wrist injury.

Alcaraz Recovers After Dramatic Collapse

Alcaraz appeared to take control after breaking Munar midway through the opening set but then suffered a sudden dip in form.

He lost the final 14 points of the first set, including consecutive double faults that handed Munar the opener. After also dropping the first two points of the second set, Alcaraz had lost 16 points in a row.

The top seed responded immediately, breaking in the opening game of the second set before gradually taking control. He secured another break to build confidence and eventually won the final two sets comfortably.

“I don’t know what happened in the first set,” Alcaraz said. “It seems that I’m struggling in every first set. … But I’ve come back every time and I’m really happy about it.”

Munar had reached the semifinals after upsetting 12th-ranked Taylor Fritz in the opening round.

Lehecka Awaits In Japan Open Final

Lehecka reached the final with a 6-4, 6-2 victory over Valentin Vacherot. The Czech is on a six-match winning streak after also winning both his singles matches against the United States to help his country qualify for the Davis Cup Final 8.

Alcaraz returned from injury in late August and reached the US Open quarterfinals, where he lost to Ben Shelton in a match that finished at 3:33 a.m. He has continued to wear a compression sleeve on his right arm.

The Spaniard has not played a final since losing to Jannik Sinner in the Monte Carlo Masters final in April. He will now attempt to defend the Japan Open title he won last year.