New Delhi: Jiri Lehecka defeated Carlos Alcaraz by 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 to reach the semi-finals of the Qatar Open on Thursday, 20 February. He claimed the first Top 3 win of his career with an impressive performance. Alcaraz started the match strongly and secured an early break gifted by his opponent but after that, he completely lost focus.
He had a golden opportunity to clinch another ATP 500 trophy after Novak Djokovic’s first-round elimination and Jannik Sinner’s suspension. The world no.3 was the top favourite to win the title at the 2025 Qatar Open but he could not make it past the quarterfinals.
After going up 2-1 with a break in the opening set, the Spaniard lost four back-to-back games which put him under pressure. Alcaraz saved his serve but couldn’t break back in time which forced him to fight hard. He delivered a great performance in the second set by not giving Lehecka many opportunities and needing just one break to level the score.
In the third set, the World No.1 broke first and had chances to go 5-2 up with serve to close the match but the Czech reacted and made a sensational comeback to turn the match around. With this big victory, Lehecka advanced to the semifinals of the Qatar Open and will face Jack Draper. After the win, Lehecka said that the match was up and down since the beginning and so for him to win a match like that against a player like this is a super big achievement. The Czech further added that he believed in himself and knew that he had the level to produce this kind of tennis.
Jack Draper battles past Matteo Berrettini
Jack Draper defeated Matteo Berrettini by 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 and reached in the Qatar Open semi-finals in Doha. Draper was sidelined for a month with a hip injury before his return to action this week. He will face Jiri Lehecka in the semifinal of the Qatar Open.
Carlos Alcaraz suffered a shocking defeat to Jiri Lehecka in the Qatar Open quarter-finals. The Czech claimed the first top-three victory of his career. Tennis Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
