David Canales / SOPA Images/Sipa USA
Felix Auger-Aliassime vs Jiri Lehecka: ATP Madrid – semifinal
Jiri Lehecka has an amazing week and will play for a place in the final against Felix Auger-Aliassime at the ATP Madrid.
Felix Auger-Aliassime Profile
Felix Auger-Aliassime has fallen to 35th place in the ATP rankings, and not that long ago, he was No. 6 in the world. The Canadian is 15-10 for the season and 7-2 on clay courts.
Auger-Aliassime moved on to the semifinals after Jannik Sinner withdrew before they took the court for the quarterfinal match. Previously in the tournament, Auger-Aliassime defeated Casper Ruud, Jakub Mensik, Adrian Mannarino, and Yoshihito Nishioka.
Last week in Munich, Auger-Aliassime lost in the quarterfinal to Jan-Lennard Struff.
His best result this season was the semifinal in Montpellier, where he lost to Alexander Bublik.
Jiri Lehecka Profile
Jiri Lehecka is ranked 31st on the ATP list, eight spots lower than his career high. The player from the Czech Republic is 17-8 for the season and 4-0 on clay.
Lehecka moved on to the semis after winning only one set against Daniil Medvedev as the former world No. 1 had to retire with a hamstring injury. Previously, Lehecka defeated the five-time Madrid champion Rafael Nadal 7-5, 6-4. Earlier in the tournament, he went past Thiago Monteiro and Hamad Medjedovic.
This is the first tournament for Lehcka in over a month after he lost in the opening round in Miami to Alexei Popyrin.
Earlier this season, Lehecka reached the quarterfinals in Indian Wells and Dubai.
This is the second time for Lehecka to play in Madrid after he lost to Alexander Shevchenko in the second round last year.
Head-to-Head – Lehecka leads 1-0
- Lehecka vs Auger-Aliassime 4-6, 6-3, 7-6, 7-6 (2023 Australian Open, round of 16)
Prediction and Conclusion
Both players were lucky enough to get to the semifinals more easily than they hoped for, and now they are ready for the biggest match of their season so far. Auger-Aliassime has had a better career so far, but both players are still very young and have not reached their prime. Lehecka is the main man of the tournament, as he defeated Rafael Nadal, and that was a huge confidence boost. He serves well and moves even better, so most likely he will be the one to move to the final.
