Alcaraz beats Munar 5-7, 6-3, 6-1 to reach Japan Open 2025 final
Synopsis
Carlos Alcaraz was a set and a break down before turning the Japan Open semifinal completely on its head, dismantling Jaume Munar 6-1 in the decider. The defending champion now stands one win away from back-to-back titles in Tokyo — and his uncanny ability to survive slow starts is becoming one of the defining stories of his 2025 season.
Key Takeaways
Carlos Alcaraz defeated Jaume Munar 5-7, 6-3, 6-1 in the Japan Open semifinal on Monday at the Ariake Coliseum, Tokyo .
Alcaraz was serving for the first set at 5-3 but was broken and lost it 7-5 before mounting a commanding comeback.
The Spaniard has faced first-set difficulties in every match this tournament, requiring tie-breaks against Michelsen , Arnaldi , and Shapovalov .
He will face either Jiri Lehecka or Valentin Vacherot in the final.
Alcaraz is the 2025 defending champion in Tokyo, having beaten Taylor Fritz in last year's final.
Carlos Alcaraz, the World No. 3, fought back from a set down to defeat fellow Spaniard Jaume Munar 5-7, 6-3, 6-1 in the Japan Open semifinal at the Ariake Coliseum in Tokyo on Monday, booking his place in consecutive finals at the tournament. The seven-time Grand Slam champion once again demonstrated his ability to recover after a sluggish opening set.
A Shaky First Set, Then a Ruthless Comeback
Alcaraz appeared to be in control early in the first set, racing to a 5-3 lead and serving for the set. However, he was broken in the very next game, and Munar capitalised to take it 7-5. It was a pattern that has recurred throughout this tournament — Alcaraz required tie-breaks to see off Alex Michelsen in the round of 32, Matteo Arnaldi in the round of 16, and Denis Shapovalov in the quarterfinals.
The second set told a markedly different story. Alcaraz broke for a 2-1 lead, held to make it 3-1, broke again for 4-2, and ultimately sealed the set 6-3 to level the match.
Alcaraz Fires on All Cylinders in the Decider
The third set was one-way traffic. Alcaraz raced to a 4-0 lead with a double break, and although Munar held his serve to make it 4-1, the Spaniard wrapped up the match with his own serve to win 6-1. The turnaround underlined Alcaraz's capacity to elevate his game dramatically once he finds his range.
'I don't know what happened in the first set… The first sets in general, to be honest. I don't know. I started the match well, breaking, serving for the set. Don't know what happened. It seems like I'm struggling every first set. But the way I come back every time, I'm just really happy about it,' Alcaraz told tournament broadcasters after the win.
Final Opponent and Tournament Context
In the final, Alcaraz will face either Jiri Lehecka or Valentin Vacherot, who were scheduled to contest their semifinal shortly after Alcaraz's match concluded. Notably, Alcaraz is the defending champion at this event, having defeated Taylor Fritz in the 2025 final. The Spaniard opted to compete at the Japan Open rather than the China Open, where several other top players are in action this week.
What's Next for Alcaraz
A title defence in Tokyo would further consolidate Alcaraz's standing in the ATP rankings and provide significant momentum heading into the indoor hard-court swing. His ability to navigate difficult first sets — and still close out matches convincingly — remains his most compelling attribute this fortnight.
Point of View
Alcaraz has turned slow starts into a recurring narrative of resilience rather than vulnerability. The more interesting question for the final is whether his opponent can sustain pressure long enough in the early stages to keep that first-set frailty alive into a third set against a man who has won every decider in this tournament comfortably.
NationPress
6 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the score in Alcaraz vs Munar at the Japan Open semifinal?
Carlos Alcaraz defeated Jaume Munar 5-7, 6-3, 6-1 in the Japan Open semifinal at the Ariake Coliseum in Tokyo. Alcaraz recovered from losing the first set to win the match in three sets.
Who will Alcaraz face in the Japan Open 2025 final?
Alcaraz will face either Jiri Lehecka or Valentin Vacherot in the final, with the two players scheduled to contest their semifinal shortly after Alcaraz's win. The final opponent was not confirmed at the time of the match.
Is Alcaraz the defending champion at the Japan Open?
Yes, Carlos Alcaraz is the defending champion at the Japan Open, having defeated Taylor Fritz in the final the previous year. A victory in the 2025 final would give him back-to-back titles in Tokyo.
Why has Alcaraz struggled in first sets throughout the Japan Open?
Alcaraz has acknowledged difficulty settling into matches quickly, requiring tie-breaks in the first sets against Michelsen, Arnaldi, and Shapovalov earlier in the tournament. Despite these slow starts, he has consistently recovered to win each match.
Why is Alcaraz playing in Tokyo instead of the China Open?
Alcaraz chose to compete at the Japan Open this week while some other top-ranked players opted for the China Open running concurrently. The decision reflects his personal scheduling preference and his desire to defend his Tokyo title.
