Jiri Lehecka stuns Carlos Alcaraz in Qatar Open

Czech’s Jiri Lehecka shocked Carlos Alcaraz in the quarterfinals of the ongoing Qatar Open to claim his first top-3 win on the tour. Lehecka registered a 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 win to reach the semi-finals and continue his impressive start to 2025.

Both players broke each other’s serve at the start of the game but Lehecka was able to do it twice to get an advantage in the opening set. The Spaniard was able to bounce back in the second set to achieve parity.

Subsequently, Alcaraz was 4-2 40-30 up in the third set but veered off the track as Lehecka took advantage.

 “I feel great,” Lehecka said. “The match was up and down since the beginning. So for me to win a match like that against a player like this is a super big achievement. I believed in myself and knew I had the level to produce this kind of tennis. I knew if I could be a bit more consistent in matches, I can bring these results more and more.

“I think the most important part was I believed in my game and did not back down. Even when I was missing shots in the third set, I wanted to play my game style, be an aggressive player and push him to his limits. I was just waiting for the right moment to put all these things together and it happened when I broke him back in the third set.”

Lehecka will next face British lefty Jack Draper on Friday and he will once again look to bring his best to the court.

“I will try to recover well and get back on the right track in the morning to build the right things again,” Lehecka said looking ahead. “I am confident I can bring even more tomorrow and I will try my best.”