In a thrilling match that lasted over two hours, world no. 3 Carlos Alcaraz faced off against world no. 25 Jiri Lehecka in the quest for his second ATP 500 title of the month in Doha. Despite a valiant effort, the Rotterdam champion found himself bested by Lehecka, who clinched the victory with a 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 score.
The match saw Lehecka demonstrating an impressive level of resilience, battling back from a 4-2 deficit in the decider and shrugging off a break point. Unyielding in his determination, the Czech player won four consecutive games to secure a significant triumph for his career. Alcaraz, despite winning more points overall, faltered at crucial junctures, losing his serve four times, which included his last two service games.
Despite the setback, Alcaraz was gracious in defeat, acknowledging his opponent’s outstanding performance in the final stages of the match. The Spaniard expressed uncertainty about how he could have improved his game, shining a light on the impressive resilience and skill demonstrated by Lehecka in the closing stages of the encounter.
The match was not without its share of high-octane moments. In the first game, Alcaraz broke Lehecka’s serve following a double fault by the latter. The Spaniard, however, faltered behind the initial shot at 2-1, unable to save three break points and squandered a game point, allowing Lehecka to equalize at 2-2.
Lehecka then pushed ahead in the sixth game, landing a deep return that caused Alcaraz to make a mistake, resulting in a break and a 4-2 lead. Despite Alcaraz’s efforts to turn the tide, Lehecka managed to maintain his lead and served for the opener at 5-3.
The second set saw Alcaraz come back strong, serving well and keeping the pressure on his opponent. Creating two break chances with a lob winner, he seized the first opportunity to gain a 3-1 advantage. The four-time Major winner continued to maintain his lead, serving for the set at 5-3 and closing it off 6-3, forcing the decider.
The final set saw Alcaraz gaining an early lead. However, Lehecka was not about to back down. Despite facing a break point at 1-1, he managed to hold his serve and was back in the game. The Czech player then leveled the score at 4-4, showing exceptional grit and determination, completely turning the tables on Alcaraz.
Lehecka showcased his skill and precision throughout the game, making very few errors and returning with aggression. His performance in this match marks a significant milestone in his career, a fact not lost on Alcaraz, who acknowledged his opponent’s prowess in his post-match reflections.
In a conversation with his team post-match, Alcaraz admitted that he was unsure what he could have done differently. However, he acknowledged that he did not perform well in some crucial points on his serve. Alcaraz also gave credit to Lehecka’s exceptional play, particularly his refusal to give up even when trailing in the decider. Despite the loss, Alcaraz intends to learn from this match and continue improving his serve.
The Doha match will undoubtedly be remembered as a remarkable display of determination and skill from both players, with each showcasing their athletic prowess and competitive spirit. For Lehecka, it was a career-defining victory, while for Alcaraz, it was a learning opportunity that he will surely use to better his game in the future.
