World no. 3 Carlos Alcaraz chased his second ATP 500 title of the month in Doha. The Rotterdam champion passed two obstacles before falling to world no. 25 Jiri Lehecka 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 in two hours and nine minutes.
The Czech made an impressive comeback in the decider, overcomingf a 4-2 deficit and a break point. Thus, Jiri rattled off four games to bring the victory home and earn a notable triumph. Carlos did not play well in a couple of crucial points.
However, he is unsure what he could have done better, praising his rival’s performance in the closing stages of the duel.
In front of you is Jiri Lehecka. 🇨🇿
The match lasted more than two hours, but its point came at the very beginning. 🔝
The athleticism of both is more than impressive. ❤️🔥
The Czech put it all on one card and COMPLETELY won. 🟢
WOW.#QatarTennis #DohaTennis #Alcaraz #Lehecka pic.twitter.com/y9R0CSrq0p
— The Tennis Emotion (@TheTennisEmotes) February 20, 2025
Carlos won four points more, but not the pivotal ones. He lost serve four times, including his final two service games, and provided three return games from seven chances. Officially, Lehecka landed 18 winners and 36 unforced errors.
He must have drew numerous forced mistakes from Alcaraz, who finished the duel with 32 winners and 25 mistakes. The Spaniard was off to a reliable start, earning a break in the third game of the duel after the rival’s double fault.
Luca Nardi & Carlos Alcaraz, Doha 2025© Stream screenshot
World no. 3 struggled behind the initial shot at 2-1. He saved three break points and squandered a game point before falling on the fourth break chance, bringing his rival back to 2-2. Jiri made another push on the return in game six.
He landed a deep return and caused the rival’s mistake for a break and a 4-2 advantage. Lehecka erased a break point in game seven with an unreturned serve and landed another to extend the gap to 5-2. World no. 25 served for the opener at 5-3.
He wasted two set points and offered Alcaraz a break chance. The Spaniard blew it with a terrible return, and the Czech seized the fourth set point for 6-3 in 45 minutes. Carlos served well in the second set and kept the pressure on the other side.
Jiri Lehecka, Doha 2025© Stream screenshot
He held at love in the first game with a forehand winner and made a push on the return at 2-1. World no. 3 created two break chances with a lob winner and seized the first to forge a 3-1 advantage. Alcaraz cemented the lead with a service winner in game five.
The four-time Major winner earned a hold at 15 in game 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 boost and built the lead in the early stages of the decider. Jiri saved a break point at 1-1 but struggled again in game five. He experienced a break after a forehand error, propelling Alcaraz closer to the top.
Carlos Alcaraz, Doha 2025© Stream screenshot
The Spaniard held in game six and welcomed the rival’s forehand mistake in the next one for a break point. Instead of fading from the court, Jiri kept fighting! He saved it with a powerful serve and held for 3-4. Alcaraz hit a double fault in the eighth game and experienced two break points.
The top seed missed a forehand on the first, allowing his rival to level the score at 4-4 and gain confidence. Lehecka moved 5-4 in front with a service winner and stepped in on the return at 5-4.
He created a match point after drawing the rival’s mistake with a return. The Czech attacked and caused another 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 said.
Tennis World USA