Thirty-two years after Pete Sampras did it last, the Japan Open has a repeat men’s champion again.

Carlos Alcaraz saw off Jiri Lehecka in two sets in Tokyo on Tuesday, taking the title 7-6 (7-4), 6-4 in a final the Spaniard admitted was more about problem-solving than performance. It is his first trophy since February, the four-and-a-half-month layoff forced by a right wrist injury that kept him out until the US Open in late August.

The world No. 3, who still wears a compression sleeve on his right arm, told reporters the mood after the win was simple.

“I’m really happy to be able to lift a trophy again. It’s been a while and obviously it’s extra special after my injury.”

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“It was a tough week that I didn’t find my best tennis, but I did find the good solutions.”

Sampras was the last man to do it

The last man to win the Japan Open in consecutive years was Sampras in 1993 and 1994, a 32-year gap that spanned the Federer-Nadal-Djokovic era.

Lehecka, the Czech No. 19, pushed the opening set hard, going 3-1 up early before Alcaraz dragged it back to 3-3. In the tie-break, Alcaraz trailed 2-4 and then reeled off five points in a row. In the second set he broke in the seventh game to move 4-3 ahead and served it out.

Alcaraz said afterwards that the week in Tokyo had been as much mental as physical.

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“A lot of negative thoughts come to your mind. I trusted myself and it worked out.”

Third tournament back from the wrist injury

Alcaraz’s comeback started at Flushing Meadows, where he reached the quarter-finals before losing to Ben Shelton in a match that finished at 3:33am local time. Tokyo was only his third tournament back from the wrist problem that stopped a season he had opened with the Australian Open, which completed his career Grand Slam, and the Qatar Open in Doha.

The Japan Open title is his third trophy of 2026 and lifts him into the Shanghai Masters, which starts on Wednesday, with his game ticking over again.

Alcaraz opens Shanghai against Cerundolo or a qualifier

The Rolex Shanghai Masters runs from October 7-18. World No. 1 Jannik Sinner withdrew earlier this month with the right knee injury that has kept him out since his Wimbledon final win in July.

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“Unfortunately I won’t be able to play at the Rolex Shanghai Masters this year as I had hoped. I always enjoy playing in front of the Shanghai fans and I’m very sorry that I won’t be able to do so next week. Thank you for all your support. I’m looking forward to seeing you again next year!” Sinner said in a statement released by the ATP.

Sinner’s absence makes Alexander Zverev the top seed in Shanghai, with Alcaraz second. Alcaraz opens against Juan Manuel Cerundolo or a qualifier.

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