Carlos Alcaraz takes first title since February with victory in Japan Open final

The Guardian

Spaniard beats Jiri Lehecka 7-6, 6-4 after shaky start Jannik Sinner out for rest of year with knee injury Carlos Alcaraz defeated Jiri Lehecka in the final of the Japan Open to win his first individual title since February. Playing only his third tournament since returning from four and a-half months out with a wrist injury, Alcaraz recovered from a shaky start to defeat Czech Lehecka 7-6, 6-4. It is a second title in a row in the Japanese capital for Alcaraz, who showed patchy form at times but finished with a strong performance. The Spaniard told Sky Sports: “I’m really happy to be able to…