It was Carlos Alcaraz's third tournament since coming back from a wrist injury, following a run to the US Open quarter-finals and an appearance at the Laver Cup. (AFP pic)

TOKYO: Carlos Alcaraz won his first title since returning from a four-month injury layoff after beating the Czech Republic's Jiri Lehecka 7-6 (7/4), 6-4 in Tuesday's Japan Open final.

Top seed and defending champion Alcaraz was made to work hard by world number 19 Lehecka in Tokyo before going on to lift his first trophy since the Qatar Open in February.

It was Alcaraz's third tournament since coming back from a wrist injury, following a run to the US Open quarter-finals and an appearance at the Laver Cup.

"A lot of negative thoughts come to your mind, if you're going to come back healthy, if you're going to be the same as I was before," said Alcaraz.