GEPA pictures/ Walter Luger By Icon Sport
Jiri Lehecka vs Alexei Popyrin: ATP Miami Masters – Second round
In the second round of ATP Miami Masters, Jiri Lehcka and Alexei Popyrin will play their first match against each other.
Jiri Lehecka Profile
Jiri Lehecka is ranked 27th on the ATP list, four spots lower than his career high. The player from the Czech Republic is 13-7 for the season and 11-5 on hard surfaces.
Lehecka is coming off a 6-3, 6-3 quarterfinal loss to Jannik Sinner in Indian Wells. On his way to get there, the 22-year-old defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas, Andrey Rublev, and Brandon Nakashima.
The week before, he also reached the quarterfinals in Dubai but had to retire in the match against Alexander Bublik due to an injury.
Earlier this season, Lehecka won the title in Adelaide, defeating John Draper in the final.
This is the second time for Lehecka to play in Miami after he lost to Karen Khachanov last year in the third round.
Alexei Popyrin Profile
Alexei Popyrin is 45th in the ATP rankings, and his career high was No. 38 in the world. The Australians are 6-3 for the season, with all of the matches being played on hard surfaces.
He is coming off a 6-2 first-round win over Facundo Diaz Acosta.
Popyrin is coming back into action after a month. He last played in Doha, where he lost in the semifinals to Karen Khachanov. Previously, he made it to the second round at the Australian Open, where he ran into Novak Djokovic.
This is Popyrin’s fifth appearance in Miami, and his best result came in 2021, when he reached the third round.
Head-to-Head
This will be the first match between these two players.
Prediction and Conclusion
Both players had minor injuries early in the season, but they seem ready to go full speed in Miami. Lehecka is still only 22 years old but has shown elite talent, and this may be the tournament that can launch him into the top 20 in the ATP rankings. Popyrin is back on the court after a month, and he is not ready for a player like Lehecka. Lehecka moves much better on the court, and he will take advantage of every opportunity Popyrin gives him. The Australian lacks consistency with his first serve and will stand no chance in this match.
