ATP Doha: Jiri Lehecka revels in 'super-big achievement' of beating Carlos Alcaraz at Qatar Open
By Alex Livie
Updated 20/02/2025 at 21:11 GMT
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Carlos Alcaraz's hopes of winning the Qatar Open were ended by Jiri Lehecka who secured a three-set win over the No. 1 seed on Thursday. Alcaraz took the second set after dropping the first, but was unable to close out the match as his Czech opponent booked his place in the semi-finals. Watch and stream the 2025 tennis season, including the Laver Cup, on discovery+.
Jiri Lehecka of Czech Republic celebrating during Day One of the ABN AMRO Open at Rotterdam Ahoy on February 4, 2025 in Rotterdam, Netherland
Image credit: Getty Images
Jiri Lehecka produced one of the biggest wins of his career with a hard-fought success against Carlos Alcaraz at the Qatar Open.
After taking the title in Rotterdam earlier in the month, Alcaraz was the hot favourite for glory in Doha.
His chances were seemingly improved when Novak Djokovic was stunned by Matteo Berrettini, but the Spaniard was sent spinning out of the event by Lehecka.
Things looked good for Alcaraz when he took the second set after dropping the opener, but Lehecka found extra in the third to secure a 6-3 3-6 6-4 win in two hours and 10 minutes.
Czech player Lehecka imposed himself from the baseline and said his aim was to bring consistency to the court.
"The match was up and down since the beginning," Lehecka said. "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."
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Lehecka said he remained positive in the third set rather than retreating into his shell.
"I think the most important part was I believed in my game and did not back down," Lehecka said. "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."
ALCARAZ: I DON'T KNOW WHAT I COULD HAVE DONE BETTER
After suffering his second defeat of the season, Alcaraz felt he played a solid game and did little wrong.
"I've talked with my team, with my coach, and honestly I don't know what I could have done better," Alcaraz said. "Probably a few serves, a few points that probably I didn't play a good point. Honestly, I don't know.
"It was kind of a difficult feeling, I guess. I mean, I have to give credit to him as well, because when he was down, especially in the third set, he didn't give up.
"Next time, I just have to keep going when I am up in the match, with serves. But in my mind, I don't know what I could have done better, and I give credit to him."
Lehecka’s reward for taking down the No. 1 seed is a meeting with Jack Draper in the semi-finals.
Draper fought back from a set down to beat Berrettini 4-6 6-4 6-3.
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