TOKYO — World champion Evan Lysacek was edged out by Daisuke Takahashi for first place in the men’s short program at the Grand Prix final on Friday night.

Takahashi, making a comeback from a right knee injury, opened with a triple-flip, triple-toeloop combination and completed all his jumps en route to a season’s best score of 89.95, one tenth of a point better than Lysacek. Japan’s Nobunari Oda was third with 87.65 points.
“I’m pleased to get such a high score,” Takahashi said. “But I’m not completely satisfied as the steps and the spins were a bit rough.”
Lysacek was equally impressive, hitting four triple jumps to open his routine to Stravinsky’s “The Firebird.”
“This was a good warmup for me,” Lysacek said. “I’ve been working hard to overcome the barrier of 85 in the short program and was pleased I could do that tonight.”
The men’s event concludes with the free skate on Saturday.
Takahashi qualified for the GP final with a silver medal from Skate Canada and a fourth-place finish from the NHK Trophy. Lysacek claimed won Skate America and finished second at the Cup of China to qualify for Tokyo.
The top six skaters in the regular season Grand Prix standings qualify for the Grand Prix final.
Takahashi was No. 1 in the world when he injured his right knee in practice just over a year ago. With damage to the anterior cruciate ligament and cartilage, he had to forego the 2008-09 season to have major surgery.
Takahashi skated in a tuneup event in Finland in October but his first major event was the NHK last month in Nagano.
“After the NHK and Skate Canada, I realized I needed to skate with more emotion and I was able to do that tonight,” Takahashi said.
Johnny Weir of the United States was fourth with 84.60 points followed by fellow American Jeremy Abbott with 76.65. Tomas Verner of the Czech Republic was sixth with 70.17 points.