At the iconic Queen's Club in London, the 2025 HSBC Championships semifinals delivered a thrilling showcase of tennis, featuring some of the sport’s brightest talents battling for a coveted spot in the final. The spotlight was firmly on British No. 2 seed Jack Draper and Czech rising star Jiri Lehecka, who faced off in a gripping semifinal encounter on Saturday, June 21, 2025.
Draper, a 23-year-old left-handed player, came into the match with an impressive season record of 28 wins out of 35 matches. Having clinched his maiden Masters 1000 title at Indian Wells earlier this year, Draper was riding high on confidence. His grass-court form had been solid, starting his Queen's campaign with a commanding 6-3, 6-1 victory over Jenson Brooksby. He then battled back from a set down to edge Alexei Popyrin in a tight three-setter and followed it up with a hard-fought win against Brandon Nakashima, prevailing 6-4, 5-7, 6-4.
On the other side, Jiri Lehecka, ranked World No. 30, was no stranger to success in 2025 either. The Czech had a 23-12 record this year, including a title run at the Brisbane International and a semifinal appearance in the Qatar Open. Though he missed the entire grass season in 2024, Lehecka came into Queen’s with a respectable 10-6 career record on grass. His path to the semifinals was marked by impressive straight-set victories over fifth seed Alex de Minaur and Gabriel Diallo, followed by a resilient 7-5, 6-2 win against home favorite Jacob Fearnley.
The head-to-head rivalry between Draper and Lehecka was finely poised at 2-1 in favor of the British player. Their most recent clash was a marathon semifinal at Doha earlier in 2025, where Draper triumphed in three sets. This Queen’s semifinal marked their first meeting on grass, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the contest.
The match itself was a tense, high-quality battle. Draper, known for his powerful serve and aggressive forehand, started strongly but was met by Lehecka’s rock-solid baseline play and booming serve, which peaked at 141 mph during the match. Draper’s first serve success rate was impressive throughout the tournament, winning over 82% of points on first serve, but Lehecka's serve and tactical prowess kept the pressure on.
Lehecka struck first, breaking Draper’s serve early in the first set and taking it 6-4. Draper responded with determination, capturing the second set 6-4 thanks to a crucial break and some deft net play, where he won 26 out of 30 points, showcasing his versatility on the grass courts.
The deciding set was a nail-biter, with both players exchanging powerful groundstrokes and tactical serves. However, Draper’s energy appeared to wane late in the set, and signs of physical strain became evident. Draper had been diagnosed with tonsillitis just a day before the match, which he admitted affected his stamina. The pressure of playing at home seemed to weigh on him as well. In the penultimate game, Draper dropped serve, handing Lehecka a vital break that sealed the match 7-6.
Frustration boiled over for Draper in the closing moments. After a crucial point, he smashed his racket violently against the digital advertising hoardings courtside, breaking both the racket and the boards. This outburst earned him a code violation for unsportsmanlike conduct, likely to lead to a fine. Draper also grazed his knee in the incident and was seen applying ice during the changeover.
Despite the loss, Draper’s run to the semifinals was a breakthrough. By advancing this far, he secured a top-four seeding for Wimbledon, meaning he will avoid facing heavyweights like Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner until at least the semifinals at SW19. Draper described his rise into the world’s top four as a “huge step” and “massive progress,” crediting his team and dedication to the sport.
Meanwhile, Lehecka’s victory was historic. He became the first Czech player to reach the Queen’s Club final since Ivan Lendl 35 years ago. His composed performance earned him a spot in Sunday’s final, where he will face either top seed Carlos Alcaraz or veteran Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut.
The second semifinal between Alcaraz and Bautista Agut was an all-Spanish affair marked by intense rallies and tactical brilliance. Alcaraz, a two-time Wimbledon champion and currently on a 16-match winning streak, started strong, breaking Bautista Agut early in the first set and maintaining pressure throughout. Bautista Agut, the oldest player in the men’s singles draw at 37, showcased his experience and resilience, holding serve multiple times and pushing Alcaraz in long rallies.
John Lloyd, former GB Davis Cup captain, praised Alcaraz as “the most complete player of his age I have ever seen,” highlighting the young Spaniard’s exceptional skill set and mental toughness. The match faced a slight rain delay but resumed with both players displaying high-quality tennis, setting the stage for a compelling final showdown.
With Lehecka’s breakthrough performance and Alcaraz’s relentless form, the final promises to be a captivating contest at the 2025 HSBC Championships.
As for Draper, while his dream of a home final was dashed, his season trajectory remains upward. The British star aims to capitalize on his top-four Wimbledon seeding and hopes to make a deeper run at the third Grand Slam of the year, aiming to surpass his previous best of reaching the second round.
The action at Queen’s Club this weekend has been a testament to the depth and excitement of men’s tennis, blending youthful energy, veteran savvy, and the drama that only grass-court tennis can deliver.
