Make a new sushi, Carlitos

Carlos Alcaraz is part of an irreplaceable romance with the ATP Tokyo 2026. This year's journey has nothing to do with the past, where, encouraged by a minor ankle twist, he shattered his rivals, becoming a ferocious tennis hurricane to claim the title. This year, the Carlitos that appears in Japanese lands is much more grounded, but also more tenacious and intelligent: he accepts the irregularities, embraces small moments of downturn, and smiles when it's time to grit his teeth and win through suffering. Today, against Jaume Munar, another lesson in knowing how to be present to come back in a match that started out really complicated... and new ATP final, the first since the last Masters 1000 in Monte Carlo (5-7, 6-3, 6-1).

The match began with an absolute equality and an intensity typical of a semifinal. Munar did not come to Tokyo to be a luxury spectator and demonstrated that from the very first rally, competing toe to toe with Alcaraz. It is true that the Balearic player had been struggling with a particularly negative streak against other Spaniards, but he is also one of the few national players who knows what it means to beat the Murcian. During much of the first set, he once again resembled that player capable of troubling Alcaraz.

This is how Alcaraz beat Munar: Carlitos' perfect comeback

Until 3-3 there were no differences. Quite the opposite: Munar seemed to put more pressure on the return than Alcaraz, forcing him to play every point with maximum intensity. However, the first blow came from Carlos. A tremendously aggressive game allowed him to break the Balearic's serve to go up 4-3 and, barely a minute and a half later, confirm the break to lead 5-3. It seemed like the definitive turning point. It seemed that the favorite had just entered the scene. But nothing was as it seemed.

No stopping that 💪 #japanopentennis https://t.co/od5LmWWXYE

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) October 5, 2026

Munar defended his serve, and when Alcaraz was serving to close the set, the most unexpected twist of the afternoon arrived. The Balearic broke without blinking, 5-5. And what could have been simply a reaction turned into a true stampede. Jaume also won the next game and broke Carlos' serve again to complete four consecutive games and take the first set 7-5. Alcaraz's expression on the bench was a poem. It was not anger. Nor was it frustration for having gotten distracted. It was something else, a discomposed, worried expression, staring intently at his team as if he needed to find an explanation.

Alcaraz would enter the second set determined to strike first. Perhaps even without overthinking, he needed to redeem himself and did so by breaking Munar's serve in the first game. There was no celebration, nor a change of expression. He even exchanged a few words with his team asking for calm because the situation was still strange. And what was Munar's response? A counter-break. And Alcaraz's? Another break. Three breaks in the first three games and a match that had definitely turned into a battle.

The fourth game was about to extend the madness, but Carlos managed to weather the storm and lead 3-1. It was a minimal lead, nothing definitive, but enough to restore some stability to a match that had already experienced several directional changes. What mattered at that point was that there were no ghosts. No signs of injury, no hidden explanation behind that first set. There was simply an all-out duel, with Munar competing at an extraordinary level against the best Spaniard in the world. Perhaps that, after all, should stop being a surprise.

What did cease to surprise was Alcaraz's forehand. Carlos began to crush the ball with increasing violence and eventually found his reward: 6-3 to level the match. Munar smiled as he returned to his chair, aware that he had won a huge battle, but knowing that the most difficult part was still to come.

The keys to Alcaraz's overwhelming end of match against Munar

In the third set there was no story, although there was a small turning point whose importance would become enormous. Jaume had the opportunity to tilt the momentum back in his favor in the first game of Carlos' serve, with a 30-40 that seemed a clear message: take it or leave it. However, the Balearic could do little: Alcaraz brought out his most resolute version, fishing with his forehand and closing the door with a magnificent smash.

From there? The clearest abyss for Jaume, who lowered his serve speed even more, allowing Carlos to attack with deep returns and at his feet, and he stopped showcasing that intensity that sometimes became so overwhelming it is part of his DNA. Munar's drop in explosiveness was interpreted by his rival as a clear sign: it was time to take a bite and peek over the balcony of victory. And Carlitos did not hesitate, unleashing his forehand and letting loose the good feelings: the virulence of that shot propelled him to triumph while Munar faded away with uncharacteristic errors.

Like he never left 🤩 The moment @carlosalcaraz reached his first Tour Final since his return from injury 🤝 #japanopentennis https://t.co/gmgAkYm40b

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) October 5, 2026

The start of the comeback came in a businesslike manner, enduring Jaume's onslaught, organizing his tennis, and reducing the number of errors, increasingly feeling comfortable in long rallies; the finish, with the Alcaraz of always, the one who eventually crushes you with a physique that appears to be at 100%, the one who arrives more prepared for the final moment than you. From the first break on, there was no story, and although Jaume salvaged his honor with a final game, the match already had a winner. Thus, Alcaraz continues to smash records: he hasn't lost to a compatriot since he did so against Nadal at Indian Wells 2022, he reaches his 36th final at the ATP level, he adds nine consecutive victories in Tokyo, and sends a warning to the circuit: he may not be unbeatable yet, but his ability to hold onto the match and win through intelligence remains intact. Vacherot or Lehecka better be prepared in the final... and, just in case, so should the sushi of the champion.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Prepara un nuevo sushi, Carlitos