Doha, Qatar - An unexpected twist unfolded during the quarter-finals of the ATP 500 tournament when Spain's Carlos Alcaraz, the top seed and world No. 1, was eliminated by Czech Republic's Jiri Lehecka, ranked 25th, with scores of 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 on February 20, 2025. This defeat marked the end of Alcaraz's seven-match winning streak and raised questions about his consistency.
The match commenced at the Khalifa International Tennis Complex, where Alcaraz seemed to build momentum early on. After exchanging games, he broke Lehecka's serve, taking the lead. Yet, the Czech surprised everyone by responding quickly, breaking back and securing the first set with strong serving, including serves clocking up to 227 kilometers per hour.
Alcaraz exhibited skill and determination, rallying to win the second set decisively. He controlled the pace, forcing errors from Lehecka and showcasing his prowess on the court. "I realized I had to raise my level of play," he explained after securing the second set 6-3.
Fans were optimistic as the match progressed to the third set. Initially, it appeared Alcaraz would continue his push, taking the lead 4-2. But as the games unfolded, the pressure mounted, and he faced difficulties, committing errors at pivotal moments."I was forced to keep my concentration throughout the match; it’s not easy," reflected Alcaraz, admitting his struggle with maintaining focus.
Lehecka capitalized on the scenario, recovering from two games down and breaking Alcaraz's serve to level it at 4-4. The young Spaniard faltered, surrendering the lead due to unforced errors, including double faults at key junctures.
Finally, Lehecka achieved match point with aggressive play, clinching the match and solidifying his spot in the semi-finals where he will face the winner of Matteo Berrettini versus Jack Draper. The young Czech player expressed his triumph, stating, "The most important thing today was to believe in my game and not to back off," highlighting his growth and resilience.
For Alcaraz, the loss is reflective of persistent issues with consistency and decision-making under pressure. Although this defeat rather sprung from heroic efforts during the second set, it raises concerns about his readiness as he looks to compete against other top players. His ambition to close the gap behind Jannik Sinner is narrowing, with this recent setback only adding to the challenges.
This upset serves as both a setback for Alcaraz and as recognition for Lehecka, who has previously faced struggles due to injury. His victory not only boosts his ranking hopes but also reinforces his status as a serious contender on the tour, as he celebrated his sixth personal win against top 10 players.
With the tournament continuing, fans eagerly anticipate the remaining matchups and the potential for even more surprising outcomes. The aura of competition overheads, reminding everyone involved of the unpredictable essence of tennis.