Jiri Lehecka Edges Jack Draper in Thrilling Queen’s Club Semi-Final to Reach First Grass Court Final
In a tense and hard-fought semi-final at the Queen’s Club, unseeded Czech star Jiri Lehecka defeated British No. 1 Jack Draper 6-4, 4-6, 7-5 to secure his place in the final. Lehecka’s victory ends Draper’s hopes of clinching his first career title on home turf and sets up a final showdown against either Carlos Alcaraz or Roberto Bautista Agut.
Draper’s Grass Court Struggles Continue
Jack Draper has faced a challenging transition onto grass this season following a successful clay campaign. Despite showing flashes of brilliance throughout the week — including tough three-set victories over Alexei Popyrin and Brandon Nakashima — Draper appeared vulnerable in his service games and forehand strokes. His struggle to find rhythm on grass was evident in the semi-final, as Lehecka relentlessly applied pressure from the baseline.
Lehecka’s Dominance and Powerful Game
Lehecka entered the tournament as a dark horse but quickly emerged as the standout player, knocking out fifth seed Alex de Minaur in the opening round before cruising through the draw. His massive first serve and aggressive forehand allowed him to dictate play, often overpowering Draper in key moments. Throughout the match, Lehecka maintained composure and precision, displaying the kind of grass-court prowess that earned him his first final appearance on this surface.
Match Highlights: A Tale of Shifting Momentum
On a sweltering day in West London, with temperatures reaching 30°C before cooling off, Draper struggled from the outset. He dropped his opening service game after a series of forehand errors and a costly double fault on break point, giving Lehecka the early advantage. The Czech then held serve comfortably and consistently attacked Draper’s baseline with his forehand, leaving the British No. 1 unable to settle.
Draper’s serve, often his saving grace, shone brighter in the second set as he served immaculately and began to put Lehecka under pressure. The resilience paid off when Lehecka faltered on his serve at 4-5, handing Draper the crucial break to level the match.
The decisive third set featured tense exchanges and quality serving from both players. However, Draper’s first serve percentage dipped at a critical moment, allowing Lehecka to break at 6-5 with a stunning backhand winner. Frustrated, Draper smashed his racket against the interactive court-side screen, momentarily disabling it — an outburst that highlighted the emotional intensity of the contest.
Despite regaining composure and fighting valiantly, Draper was unable to recover the break. Lehecka held firm to close out an impressive victory and book his place in the final.
What’s Next?
Lehecka now awaits the winner of the second semi-final between rising star Carlos Alcaraz and experienced campaigner Roberto Bautista Agut. This final promises an exciting clash as Lehecka bids to capture his maiden grass-court title.
This report will be updated with full coverage and analysis following the conclusion of the second semi-final.
