Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz advanced to the final of the Japan Open after defeating fellow Spaniard Jaume Munar with a score of 5-7, 6-3, 6-1 on Monday. Alcaraz's victory marks a significant step in his comeback following a wrist injury that sidelined him earlier this year.
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Despite capturing the Australian Open title in February and achieving a career Grand Slam, Alcaraz struggled with his serve early in the match, allowing Munar to take the first set. However, the 23-year-old turned the tide after a slow start to the second set, raising his performance level and dominating the final set with impressive shot-making.
Alcaraz's win sets him up for a title match against either Jiri Lehecka or Valentin Vacherot on Tuesday. He recently demonstrated his return to form with a quarter-final run at the US Open and a successful performance during Team Europe’s victory at the Laver Cup last month. (Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Bengaluru, editing by Ed Osmond)