Alcaraz and Lehecka to showcase their true skills again on the Grand Slam stage

Born in November 2001, Czech fighter Lehecka and born in May 2003, Spanish all-rounder Alcaraz have met three times professionally, with two encounters occurring this year alone. At the ATP 500 Doha quarterfinals early this year, they battled through three sets, with Lehecka defeating Alcaraz, avenging his straight-set loss at the 2023 ATP Queen’s Club second round. Mid-year, at the ATP 500 London Queen’s Club final, they clashed again in three sets, where Alcaraz triumphed, winning the Queen’s Club title for the second time in two years. Tomorrow at 1 a.m., in the 2025 US Open quarterfinals, they will meet for the third time this year, set to display their best on the Grand Slam stage once more.

Lehecka, who turned pro in 2020, has been praised by Serbian star Djokovic as “one of the fittest players on the ATP Tour, with a powerful serve.” The ATP website describes Lehecka as having “one of the strongest forehands in the world, combining remarkable speed and spin.”

However, Lehecka’s journey on the tour has been a steady climb rather than an overnight sensation. He finished as runner-up at the 2022 ATP Next Gen Finals; reached his first Grand Slam quarterfinal at the 2023 Australian Open; won his maiden ATP title at the 2024 ATP 250 Adelaide; and made his first Masters 1000 semifinal at Madrid after defeating clay-court king Nadal.

In the 2025 season, Lehecka’s rise became even more pronounced. He claimed the ATP 250 Brisbane title early in the year and reached the fourth round at the Australian Open. At the ATP 500 Doha quarterfinals, Lehecka exploded with a stunning upset over Alcaraz, fresh off his ATP 500 Rotterdam title, boosting his ranking to a career-high world No. 22. Unfortunately, he then suffered a four-match losing streak, which only ended in the clay season with a first-round win over American rising star Korda at Monte Carlo Masters.

Lehecka’s clay season was average, but he found new momentum on grass. At the ATP 500 London Queen’s Club, he played brilliantly, defeating Britain’s Draper—who had just returned to world No. 4—in the semifinals to reach his first ATP 500 final, where he lost a tough three-set battle to Alcaraz.

Many expected Lehecka to carry this Queen’s Club form into a strong 2025 Wimbledon campaign, especially since he had reached the fourth round there in 2023 before withdrawing due to injury. Surprisingly, he exited in the second round this time, disappointing many. Thankfully, he rebounded in the North American hard-court swing with his third peak of the year.

In back-to-back tournaments, the Canadian Rogers Cup and Cincinnati Masters, Lehecka reached the fourth round consecutively and on August 18, 2025, achieved his career-high ranking of world No. 21, entering the US Open with great confidence. Indeed, once the 2025 US Open began, Lehecka was in excellent form, winning four straight matches to reach the quarterfinals. This marked his second Grand Slam quarterfinal appearance, two and a half years after his 2023 Australian Open breakthrough.

In the 2025 US Open quarterfinals, Lehecka versus Alcaraz presents Lehecka with a chance to achieve his best career result. Facing the formidable Spanish all-rounder and 2022 US Open champion Alcaraz, Lehecka has no reason to fear. After all, he defeated Alcaraz in Doha this year, gaining both confidence and experience. Although he lost the London final in a close three-set match, now on the Grand Slam stage, he is ready to show his true ability once again.

Alcaraz, facing the surging and aggressive Lehecka, will surely not take the match lightly and will give his all. Remember, after Doha, Alcaraz praised Lehecka’s performance as “incredible, with excellent returns, very aggressive offense, and almost no errors.”

In that match, Alcaraz broke first to lead 2-1 in the opening set, but Lehecka fought back fiercely to win four consecutive games and take the set 6-3. After Alcaraz leveled by winning the second set 6-3, he led 4-2 in the deciding set, seizing the advantage. Yet Lehecka mounted another intense comeback, winning four straight games to clinch the match.

Losing matches in this pattern—sudden lapses followed by the opponent’s furious rallies—must be a bitter lesson for Alcaraz, urging him to reflect deeply and learn from it.

Tomorrow at 1 a.m., watch as Alcaraz and Lehecka meet again on the Grand Slam stage, each having won once this year, ready to showcase their true talents once more.

(Source: Tennis Home, Author: Seven-Color Bean Fan)