Jiří Leheček defeated Rafael Nadal from Spain 7:5, 6:4 in the first match on clay in Madrid and advanced to the semi-finals.
The 22-year-old Czech tennis player will face Daniil Medvedev from Russia, the fourth player in the world ranking, for the first semi-final in the Masters category.
In the 4th round against one of the best tennis players in history, who is likely to end his illustrious career this year, Lehečka delivered a top performance with focus. He played 33 winning balls, including seven aces, and allowed the amazing Spanish clay player just one break point, which he saved.
In this year’s premier clay court, the Czech number one has yet to lose a set and will play his second quarter-final at the Masters after March’s tournament in Indian Wells.
Thirty-seven-year-old Nadal, who has won five times in the past in Madrid, only played the third tournament this year, in which he returned to the courts after a one-year break. The twenty-two Grand Slam champion, who is hampered by health problems and is currently ranked 512, has not yet officially confirmed his debut at Roland Garros.
In the first set, the players serve to 5:5 without any major problem. After that, Nadal offered Leheček three break points with three errors in a row, and the Mladá Boleslav native took advantage of the first one at the net. After that, the outstanding Czech tennis player confirmed another clean break serve and won the first set.
Lehečka was almost unstoppable at the net, and even his famous opponent had to praise the challenging half-volley executed in the twelfth game.
The best Czech tennis player did not leave even in the second set, and in the first game he took the tennis legend’s service again.
After securing the break, Lehečka had a chance to deny Nadal’s serve again in the third game, but the 14-time Roland Garros winner defended serve in a marathon match with six games and three Lehečka break points.
The next games did not bring more drama. The 30th-seeded Czech was defending his serve and didn’t let up even in the tenth final game, when the sold-out stadium sent out after Nadal for a return attempt . But Lehečka earned two match points with another successful exchange of serve-volleys, and after Nadal sent the ball out with a backhand, he could claim one of the most valuable victories of his fledgling career. celebrate
After the match, the Czech player said goodbye to the legend from the bench, because in Madrid it seems that Nadal showed himself for the last time.
Tennis tournament for men and women in Madrid (clay):
Men (subsidy 9,249,713 euros):
Singles – 4th round:
Light (30-CR) – Nadal (SP) 7:5, 6:4.
2024-04-30 22:13:03
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