World no. 3 Carlos Alcaraz chased his second ATP 500 title of the month in Doha. The Rotterdam champion handed two obstacles earlier than falling to world no. 25 Jiri Lehecka 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 in two hours and 9 minutes.
The Czech made a powerful comeback within the decider, overcomingf a 4-2 deficit and a break level. Thus, Jiri rattled off 4 video games to carry the victory house and earn a notable triumph. Carlos didn’t play nicely in a few essential factors.
Nonetheless, he’s uncertain what he may have achieved higher, praising his rival’s efficiency within the closing levels of the duel.
In entrance of you is Jiri Lehecka. 🇨🇿
The match lasted greater than two hours, however its level got here on the very starting. 🔝
The athleticism of each is greater than spectacular. ❤️🔥
The Czech put all of it on one card and COMPLETELY received. 🟢
WOW.#QatarTennis #DohaTennis #Alcaraz #Lehecka pic.twitter.com/y9R0CSrq0p
— The Tennis Emotion (@TheTennisEmotes) February 20, 2025
Carlos received 4 factors extra, however not the pivotal ones. He misplaced serve 4 instances, together with his closing two service video games, and supplied three return video games from seven probabilities. Formally, Lehecka landed 18 winners and 36 unforced errors.
He should have drew quite a few compelled errors from Alcaraz, who completed the duel with 32 winners and 25 errors. The Spaniard was off to a dependable begin, incomes a break within the third sport of the duel after the rival’s double fault.
Luca Nardi & Carlos Alcaraz, Doha 2025© Stream screenshot
World no. 3 struggled behind the preliminary shot at 2-1. He saved three break factors and squandered a sport level earlier than falling on the fourth break likelihood, bringing his rival again to 2-2. Jiri made one other push on the return in sport six.
He landed a deep return and triggered the rival’s mistake for a break and a 4-2 benefit. Lehecka erased a break level in sport seven with an unreturned serve and landed one other to increase the hole to 5-2. World no. 25 served for the opener at 5-3.
He wasted two set factors and provided Alcaraz a break likelihood. The Spaniard blew it with a horrible return, and the Czech seized the fourth set level for 6-3 in 45 minutes. Carlos served nicely within the second set and stored the stress on the opposite aspect.
Jiri Lehecka, Doha 2025© Stream screenshot
He held at love within the first sport with a forehand winner and made a push on the return at 2-1. World no. 3 created two break probabilities with a lob winner and seized the primary to forge a 3-1 benefit. Alcaraz cemented the lead with a service winner in sport 5.
The four-time Main winner earned a maintain at 15 in sport seven and served for the set at 5-3. He hit a service winner after a deuce, clinching the set 6-3 and introducing a decider after an hour and 20 minutes.
Carlos gained a lift and constructed the lead within the early levels of the decider. Jiri saved a break level at 1-1 however struggled once more in sport 5. He skilled a break after a forehand error, propelling Alcaraz nearer to the highest.
Carlos Alcaraz, Doha 2025© Stream screenshot
The Spaniard held in sport six and welcomed the rival’s forehand mistake within the subsequent one for a break level. As a substitute of fading from the court docket, Jiri stored combating! He saved it with a strong serve and held for 3-4. Alcaraz hit a double fault within the eighth sport and skilled two break factors.
The highest seed missed a forehand on the primary, permitting his rival to degree the rating at 4-4 and achieve confidence. Lehecka moved 5-4 in entrance with a service winner and stepped in on the return at 5-4.
He created a match level after drawing the rival’s mistake with a return. The Czech attacked and triggered one other error from the Spaniard, celebrating his career-best victory.
Carlos Alcaraz, Doha 2025© Stream screenshot
“I have discussed with my team, and I’m unsure what I could have done better. I did not play well in a couple of points on my serve, but the feelings are difficult to express. I must give credit to Jiri – he did not give up while trailing in the decider.
One point made the difference. I had a break point at 4-2 in the final set, and the outcome could have been different. Jiri raised his level at 3-4, playing great tennis. I should have done a bit better, but his game was incredible.
He returned with precision and aggression and made almost no mistakes. I have to learn from this match and keep serving well once I build the lead. However, I do not know if I could have done anything better today. That’s why I give credit to Jiri,” Carlos Alcaraz stated.
