This one-time lovely Queen’s Club title was bestowed unto Carlos Alcaraz by dint of fighting off a very worthy challenge by Jiri Lehecka, 7-5, 6-7(5), 6-2, on Sunday, stretching his winning streak to 18 and giving a rather grim warning ahead of his Wimbledon title defence.
The 22-year-old Spanish player had won the same title after his first-ever becoming a Wimbledon champion in 2023, whilst Lehecka put forth some powerful attacks. When Alcaraz broke at 5-5 to take the first set, Lehecka remained composed in the tiebreak in the second to level up.
Then came a rather large statement from the No. 2 in the world: he broke very early in the third set and simply went away from Lehecka’s gripping level. Alcaraz established another break that cemented his victory; he let out a scream as Lehecka netted the backhand.
Said Alcaraz, who has won 27 of his last 28 matches and has five titles so far this year: “This is really special. Jiri had an incredible week. It’s a nightmare to play against him.”
Lehecka had beaten Jack Draper in the semi-final and forced Alcaraz onto the edge, but it was the Spaniard who continued shining with quality and composure on the grass of
