Jiri Lehecka is by no means one of Carlos Alcaraz’s favorite opponents – but the Spaniard showed 6: 4, 6: 2, 6: 4 in the quarter -finals of the US Open that he is currently unable to harm him either.
There are not many players against whom Alcaraz has to admit to have problems – at Lehecka he admitted that before the duel in the quarter -finals. This year the powerfully playing Czech had already defeated the Spanish tennis artist in three sets at hard court in Doha, and a little later in his three -set victory on lawn in Queens, Alcaraz had great difficulty to decide the game in his favor.
Alcaraz shows that he feels “poodle” in Arthur Ashe
However, the Spaniard has never been in a good mood when he met Lehecka as in this case. Alcaraz has already collected five Grand Slam titles in his young career, but he had never managed to achieve the quarter-finals without losing a set before these US Open. “I just feel great and I feel comfortable on the pitch”said “Carlitos” before the duel against Lehecka immediately before the game on the way to Arthur Ashe Stadium.
And that was also felt to be felt directly at number 20 opponents, Alcaraz immediately started with a break. He had Lehecka and the stadium under control, with a crashing forehand in running back to 2-0 and nodded himself appreciatively. The outsider started and it became clear why he is so problematic for Alcaraz – but he claimed his lead and won the first set 6: 4 after 41 minutes.
Lehecka plays at a top level – but Alcaraz even better
And not only that, number two in the world rankings struck again at the beginning of the second round and took Lehecka the serve. And the 23-year-old was unlucky that Alcaraz served in impressive stability and did not allow any opportunities to break. The French Open winner did not shine consistently, but showed his best tennis in the tight moments. The result: Although Lehecka played well, he had no chance – the second set ended 6-2.
The Czech then managed to take the lead for the first time and successfully open to the opening of a sentence. Lehecka stayed tuned, but will also have known that Alcaraz had never lost a match after a 2-0 set lead – and that day, despite the quality of his opponent, nothing indicated this.
Lehecka can make a third set for a long time
Lehecka had nothing else to do with playing more aggressive, which increased the error rate-but he was so good in the US Open quarter-finals that he was still more successful than before. So one -sided the game seemed that it still had great great because both players did not shy away from the spectacle, but their physique was so strong that the rallies were long and entertaining.
Alcaraz remained the overpowering opponent – and he got the decisive break at 4: 4. He won the crucial point, how only he can do it after countering the bredouille and forced Lehecka to make a mistake. After 1:56 hours the game was finished a little later.
In this form, Alcaraz is on it to win the US Open for the second time since 2022 – and then he would also return to the top of the world rankings. “It is difficult not to think about it, but on the court I try. If I think too much about it, I put myself under pressure. I just want to make my thing and enjoy the games – but the topic is there”said Alcaraz.