Alcaraz won the tournament on his debut last year. A second title would make him the first man to defend Tokyo since Pete Sampras in 1993 and 1994. Lehečka, a Miami finalist earlier this season, is chasing a first tour-level trophy of 2026 and a third of his career.
The world No. 3 leads the head-to-head 3-1. Their last meeting was at the US Open last year. Alcaraz reached this final by beating Jaume Munar in the semi-finals after coming through a wobble. Lehečka beat Valentin Vacherot 6-4, 6-2.
The doubles final is not before 14:00 local time (06:00 WAT): fourth seeds Austin Krajicek and Nikola Mektić against Théo Arribagé and Albano Olivetti. A Kei Nishikori tribute is scheduled not before 16:30 local (08:30 WAT). A wheelchair exhibition between Tokito Oda and Alfie Hewett starts at 11:00 local (03:00 WAT).
Tuesday order of play (WAT)
| Time (WAT) | Match |
|---|---|
| 03:00 | Wheelchair exhibition: Oda v Hewett |
| Not before 06:00 | Doubles final: Krajicek/Mektić v Arribagé/Olivetti |
| Not before 08:30 | Kei Nishikori tribute |
| Not before 10:00 | Singles final: Alcaraz v Lehečka |
The Kinoshita Group Japan Open is an ATP 500 on hard courts. Alcaraz is trying to leave with the trophy he won on debut. Lehečka is trying to stop him.