An inspired Jiri Leheckka separates Alcaraz in CF de Doha | ATP Tour

Doha

An inspired Leheckka separates Alcaraz in CF of Doha

The Czech achieved the greatest victory of his career against No. 3 of the world

February 20, 2025

Jiri Leheckka had never won a classified player among the three best in the world, but this Thursday he premiered his vitories locker in the Qatar Exxonmobil Open against No. 3 of the PIF ATP Rankigs Carlos Alcaraz.

The 23-year-old Czech defeated the main favorite in Doha 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 in two hours and 9 minutes to set up to the semifinals. In this way, he cut the streak of 12 consecutive victories in the Spanish ATP 500 tournaments, which came as a recent champion in Rotterdam.

“I feel great,” Leheckka acknowledged. “The game had ups and downs from the beginning. So for me winning such a game against a player like this is a very important achievement. I trusted myself and knew I had the level to impart this type of tennis. I knew that if it could be a little more consistent in the matches, I could get these results. ”

“I think the most important part was that I trusted my game and did not give in. Even when I failed some shots in the third set, I wanted to impose my style of play, be a. aggressive player and take it to the limit. I was waiting for the right time to put all these things in order and it happened when I broke the serve on the third set, ”added the Czech.

Greater Victories of Leheckka

In his two participations in Doha (2023, 2025), Leheckka has managed to appear in the semifinals. And this time he did it signing his seventh victory against a Top 10 (7-17) and matching the lexus ATP Head2head against Alcaraz (1-1).

The Czech, classified as No. 25 of the world, is completing a great season in which he has already raised a title in the first week of competition in Brisbane. And this Thursday gave continuity to his outstanding start of the year that will guarantee to improve the highest position of his career next Monday.

For its part, Alcaraz also cut his streak of seven victories in a row. After conquering Rotterdam ATP 500 two weeks ago, he added two more wins against Marin Cilic (First Round) and Luca Nardi (second round) in Doha, but Lehecka ended the good moment of Spanish.

Now, Leheckka will look for a place in the doha final this Friday in front of the British Jack Draper, who traced against the Italian Matteo Berrettini 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 in two hours and 21 minutes.

Draper is only two victories what could be his third ATP crown. At the moment, he has already promoted until No. 14 of the PIF ATP Live Rankings, which will allow him to release the best ranking of his career next Monday.

On the other side of the painting, Andrey Rublev and Felix Auger-Aliassime will play the other semifinal of the tournament.