Carlos Alcaraz has done it again after beating Jiri Lehecka to win a second Queen’s title.
The Czech player has enjoyed a brilliant week at the tournament, but despite knocking out home hopeful Jack Draper in the semi-final, he came up short against Alcaraz.
It wasn’t through a lack of trying, though, and the world number 30 played superbly well to take Alcaraz all the way to a last-set decider on the main court.
Alcaraz is proving extremely tough to beat at the moment, and he will now head to Wimbledon brimming with confidence.
What Carlos Alcaraz says after beating Jiri Lehecka at Queen’s
The 22-year-old is playing formidable tennis at the moment, and it’s hard to imagine who might beat him at Wimbledon when it gets underway next week.
Jannik Sinner will be the obvious competition for the crown he’s won for the last two years at the All England Club, but there is an air of invincibility about the Spanish superstar right now.
After beating Lehecka, he said on court: “It’s really special this trophy and this tournament for me. I am just happy to lift this trophy once again.
“I have to say Jiri, incredible week.
“Honestly, your level is truly really high. It is always I am going to say a nightmare playing against you, so that means how tough you are. Great week, great job, keep it up for Wimbledon with your team. Great job this week.”
Alcaraz is now closing on Sinner at the top of the world rankings, and right now, it’s hard to imagine him not finishing the year either top of the rankings or at the very least right on his heels.
Lehecka responds to Alcaraz after losing Queen’s final
Losing was clearly a tough one to take for Lehecka, and he didn’t have too many words for his opponent afterwards, with the player somewhat overwhelmed.
He did find time to offer some praise, though, with Lehecka saying: ” Tough for me to find some words now, but I am super happy and I had a chance today to fight for the title.
“Well done to Carlos and your team for doing a great job as always. I gave everything I had today; unfortunately, it was not enough, but it is always great to be back in Queen’s.”
Lehecka can take a lot of heart from his performance over the last week and it’s fair to say that not many seeds will want to meet him at Wimbledon in the opening three or four rounds.
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