India, Oct. 5 -- Carlos Alcaraz booked his place in the Japan Open final after battling past fellow Spaniard Jaume Munar 5-7, 6-3, 6-1. The defending champion appeared on course to take the opening set when he led 5-3, but a pair of double faults opened the door for Munar, who capitalised by winning four games in a row to turn the set around. It was the first time Alcaraz had dropped a set in the tournament and forced him to respond from behind.

The Spaniard quickly found his rhythm in the second set and gradually took control of the contest, closing out the win in three sets at Ariake Coliseum. The victory moves Alcaraz one step closer to claiming his first singles title since returning from a wrist injury. Despite reaching the final, t...