Jiri Lehecka has made waves at this year’s Queen’s Club Championships, after defeating home favourite Jack Draper in a three-set thriller.
Lehecka praised the Queen’s Club crowd for being ‘fair’ during his victory, defeating the British number one 6-4 4-6 7-5.
The Czech, 23, has earned the opportunity to face two-time defending Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz in Sunday’s Queen’s Club final.
Alcaraz described the crowd as ‘incredible’ after defeating Roberto Bautista Agut during his semi-final.
Lehecka, ranked 30 on the ATP Tour, broke a long-standing streak when claiming victory over Jack Draper.
Jiri Lehecka is the first Czech player to reach the Queen’s Club final since Ivan Lendl
Former world number one Ivan Lendl was the last male Czech player to reach the Queen’s Club Championships final, way back in 1990.
Lendl, who defeated Boris Becker in the final, won eight grand slams during his career, including three French Opens, three US Opens and two Australian Opens.
Lehecka was asked about the record whilst speaking to Tennis TV following his victory over Draper.
He said: “It’s a long time. Happy to again have the Czech flag in the final.
“It’s a great feeling together with all the other guys [Czech players], we are doing so well. Tomáš [Macháč] he won an [ATP] 500 title in Acapulco.
“Jakub [Mensik] had an incredible round in Miami, you know he won an (ATP) 1000 title.
“So you know, I would say we are all good competitors. I would say that all of us are pushing each other to the limit and we are good friends off the court, which I think is the main thing.
“So yeah, I’m very happy with that and let’s keep the Czech flag going.”
Jiri Lehecka beat Carlos Alcaraz in their last match
Remarkably, Lehecka and Alcaraz’s head-to-head record is tied, with the Czech player shocking the Spanish world number two during their last meeting.
Lehecka stunned Alcaraz this year in Doha, winning 6-3 3-6 6-4.
Their only meeting before 2025 came at the Queen’s Club Championships in 2023, as Alcaraz recorded a convincing 6-2 6-3 victory over the Czech superstar.
The pair face off at 2pm today for the final of the Queen’s Club Championships. Alcaraz will be looking to add a second crown, having won the tournament in 2023.
