Jiri Lehecka upset Carlos Alcaraz 6-3 3-6 6-4 to reach the semifinals at the Qatar Exxon Mobil Open in Doha.
Alcaraz broke serve in the third game to take a 2-1 lead. Lehecka broke straight back in the fourth game to draw level to 2-2 and earned his second break in the sixth game to take a 5-2 lead. The Czech player won his fourth game from 1-2 to take a 5-2 lead.
Lehecka converted two of his six break points in the opening set. Alcaraz earned three break points and converted one of them. Lehecka won the first set, even if he scored less points than Alcaraz (33 to 34). Lehecka dropped 17 points on serve.
Alcaraz converted the only break point he earned in the fourth game to take a 3-1 lead. The Spanish player did not face a break point in the second set. The Spaniard won four points more than Lehecka in the second set and dropped six points on serve.
Alcaraz broke serve in the fifth game of the third set to take a 3-2 lead. Lehecka broke back in the eighth game to draw level to 4-4. Lehecka earned his second break in the 10th game to win the third set 6-4. The Czech player won four consecutive games from 2-4 down in the decider.
Alcaraz converted one one of his three points. Lehecka won one more point than Alcaraz and dropped 12 points on serve.
“I feel great. The match was up and down since the beginning. So for me to win a match like that against a player like this is a super big achievement. I believed in myself and knew I had the level to produce this kind of tennis. I knew if I could be a bit more consistent in matches, I can bring these results more and more. I think the most important part was I believed in my game and did not back down. Even when I was missing shots in the third set, I wanted to play my game style, be an aggressive player and push him to his limits. I was just waiting for the right moment to put all these things together and it happened when I broke him back in the third set”, said Lehecka.
