Carlos Alcaraz v Jiri Lehecka live: Tennis score and result from Queen’s final
Follow the reaction as Alcaraz beats Lehecka 7-5, 6-7(5), 6-2 on Andy Murray Arena
Carlos Alcaraz has beaten Czech big-hitter Jiri Lehecka in the men’s final at Queen’s Club.
Alcaraz survived a scare against fellow Spaniard Jaume Munar in the second round and improved his grass game since then, defeating Arthur Rinderknech and Roberto Bautista Agut in the quarter-finals and semis. The defending Wimbledon champion has found his rhythm and a second Queen’s crown today, following his triumph over Alex de Minaur in the final two years ago, is perfect preparation for SW19.
Alcaraz endured a stern test from Lehecka, the 23-year-old who came through a fierce battle with Jack Draper to reach his first ATP 500 final. The world No 30 used his powerful serve – a perfect weapon for grass – to clinch the second set, but it wasn’t enough, eventually going down 7-5, 6-7(5), 6-2.
Follow all the reaction from the Queen’s final between Alcaraz and Lehecka below.
Carlos Alcaraz 4-4 Jiri Lehecka*
The first set is heading quickly towards the business end and there’s a bit of pressure on Carlos Alcaraz. He needs to hold to keep things on serve.
There seems to be no danger though.
Alcaraz starts off with another wide second serve ace before taking the next point as Lehecka fails to get back a return.
Alcaraz then brings Lehecka forward with a drop shot and trots back to get to the lob. The Spaniard plays a lob of his own which lands in play and confuses his opponent who thought it was landing out.
Another ace gives Alcaraz a hold.
Carlos Alcaraz 3-4 Jiri Lehecka
*Carlos Alcaraz 3-4 Jiri Lehecka
Wow! Alcaraz pushes a return of serve over the net but is met by a more forceful driving response from Lehecka who takes the point.
He brings out the fist pump and moves to 30-15. Alcaraz then goes long in the next rally and Lehecka forces him into the net with a fine serve next up.
He’s leading this first set and the Czech is playing great tennis.
Carlos Alcaraz 3-3 Jiri Lehecka*
Alcaraz’s serve is no joke either.
He’s on second serve and decides to go wide with pace. Lechecka watches it go past and nods his head in acknowledgement of how good that was.
Alcaraz moves quickly to 30-0 then whips a forehand from the middle of court past a darting Lehecka to add a third point in this game.
Another hold to love for the Spaniard.
*Carlos Alcaraz 2-3 Jiri Lehecka
It’s a big chance now!
Alcaraz moves to advantage and earns the first break point of the match. Lechecka shuts him down immediately with a rapid ace!
The Czech then rolls his wrists over a powerful forehand and drills a winner past Alcaraz to go to advantage himself.
He holds serve.
Carlos Alcaraz 2-2 Jiri Lehecka*
A 135mph serve from Lecheka is too quick for Alcaraz to control his return which loops well wide.
The serve is Lecheka’s best weapon. Trying to battle Alcaraz toe-to-toe is going to be tough and the Spaniard has won both points in this game when a rally has lasted longer than four shots.
At 30-30, Lechecka serves to the body and Alcaraz can’t get his forehand over the net.
Lecheka gets a touch unlucky with a driving forehand. The ball clips the tape and lands just wide meaning Alcaraz has a chance at deuce.
Carlos Alcaraz 2-2 Jiri Lehecka*
Alcaraz starts his next service game with an ace!
He takes the next point too as Lechecka is slightly off balance and whips a backhand out of play.
Dropping to a second serve, Alcaraz targets the body and forces Lecheka to drive through a backhand. It’s slighty too strong and the ball lands past the baseline.
The fourth rally is the best one from the Czech who meets Alcaraz in a battle of backhands. The Spaniard triumphs though with a blistering forehand winner down the line.
Hold of serve to love.
*Carlos Alcaraz 1-2 Jiri Lehecka
Nice and confident from Lechecka. Alcaraz scoops a looping return over the net and the Czech meets it with a driving forehand to win the point.
That aggression will do him good as this match goes on. A sharp serve down the middle sees Alcaraz whip a forehand into the net.
Attempting to close out the game Lechecka smokes a forehand towards the baseline but just lands it too long. He has another point to play with and secures his hold when Alcaraz miscues a backhand well wide.
Carlos Alcaraz 1-1 Jiri Lehecka*
That’s lovely. Alcaraz dinks a fine volley over the net after a quick approach and Lecheka does not even attempt to get up to the ball.
The Czech errs in the next rally too and puts his opponent on the brink of a hold.
Alcaraz misses his first serve but goes down the centre with his second. There’s a touch of extra bounce and Lechecka drills a backhand return too long.
All square.
*Carlos Alcaraz 0-1 Jiri Lehecka
The Czech is a heavy server and troubles Alcaraz a couple of times when his first serve lands in play.
When Lechecka misses, Alcaraz takes advantage. With rallies going long Alcaraz has a better defence and wins himself a couple of points.
Lecheka does enough to hold serve comfortably but he’ll need to settle quickly into the match.
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