Tennis can be a cruel and unpredictable game! Playing at a high level in back-to-back weeks is never easy, and the Czech Jiri Leheckafound that out the hard way. The young gun clinched his career-best victory in Doha following an impressive comeback against Carlos Alcaraz.
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Four days later, Jiri played a terrible match in Dubai and experienced a bagel versus Ugo Humbert in a 6-3, 6-0 defeat!From slaying a giant to suffering a bagel, Leheckas whirlwind four-day stretch proves that in tennis, glory and defeat are never far apart!
Lehecka stood on the verge of defeat against Alcaraz in Doha. World no. 3 took the second set and generated a break chance at 4-2 in the decider! The Czechdenied it and performed a notable comeback in a 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 victory in two hours and nine minutes.
The four-time Major winner clinched four points more than his rival and missed a massive chance to emerge at the top. World no. 25 saved four of seven break points and provided four breaks from eight opportunities, back-to-back ones in the decider.
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Lehecka claimed the opening set against Jack Draper in the semi-final before falling in three sets. The Czech gained three places on the ATP ranking list and headed to Dubai as world no. 22. However, he could not mirror his Doha run.
Jiri played miles below his best against the 8th seed Humbert. The Frenchman sealed the deal in 68 minutes, outplaying his opponent and producing a bagel in setnumber two! Lehecka landed miserable five winners and 26 unforced errors.
Ugo stood on a 26-17ratio, taking twice as many points from the baseline and moving over the top much easier than expected. Humbert dropped 13 points in eight service games. He defended two break points and mounted the pressure on the other side.
Nothing worked for Lehecka, who left his explosive game in the locker room. The Czech gave away 55% of the points in his games and suffered four breaks from ten chances presented to his opponent. Ugo made a push on the return in the sixthgame of the opening set.
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He seized the fifth break chance with a sharp return and a fine attack that caused an error from his rival. A left-hander held from 0-30 in the ninth game, welcoming Lehecka's wild forehand and gathering a boost.
The Frenchman was the only player on the court in the second set. He dominated on serve and return and brought it home within 20 minutes to sail over the top in style and send pail Jiri packing.
