Jiri Lehecka says there’s only one player he thinks can beat Jannik Sinner at the French Open this year now

Follow us on Google Discover

Jiri Lehecka was on the receiving end of a vintage Jannik Sinner performance at Roland Garros.

The Czech ATP star had won just three of his previous ten matches in the build-up to the French Open before finding some form in the early rounds.

In round one, Lehecka beat Australia’s Jordan Thompson 6-4, 6-2, 6-1, advancing to the second round where he took on Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.

Producing one of the best performances of his 2025 season, Lehecka beat Davidovich Fokina 6-3, 3-6, 6-1, 6-2 to book his spot in round three.

His reward? A date with the world number one, who had won his previous 16 Grand Slam matches.

Somewhat unsurprisingly, Sinner came away with the win, dominating his fellow 23-year-old, 6-0, 6-1, 6-2.

After the match, Lehecka named the one player left in the men’s draw whom he believes has a chance to beat Sinner at the 2025 French Open.

Jiri Lehecka believes Carlos Alcaraz could beat Jannik Sinner at the 2025 French Open

During his post-match press conference, Lehecka was asked if he thinks anyone can cause Sinner problems in Paris.

“I mean, the only name I can think of is Carlos [Alcaraz],” he said.

“That is the player who likes these kinds of conditions. He knows how to move well in these conditions.

“He’s playing with a heavy spin. He knows how to play and when to play the drop shot; he can go to the net often. That’s something that Carlos can do very well.”

Lehecka did, however, note that if Sinner maintains his level, it won’t matter who stands across the net from him.

“In my opinion, if Jannik [Sinner] keeps this level, it doesn’t really matter who will be there against him,” he said.

“He’s serving well, returning incredibly, from the baseline, when you look at the statistics, he’s dominant in every part of the game.

“It is what it is, I can imagine in these conditions, which we had today, I think Carlos can be a problem for him.

“But it depends, if they’re going to play in 30 degrees sunshine on Chatrier, I think there are more players who can take a set, maybe two away from him, but today? Tough.”

The world number 34 then reflected on his own performance and gave Sinner his flowers for such a dominant win.

“He’s playing amazing, today he was 100% dominant on court. He did everything well,” said Lehecka.

“I felt like I was playing against myself, but he’s two times better at everything.”

Would Jannik Sinner be the favorite if he played Carlos Alcaraz at the French Open?

Entering the tournament as the top two seeds, Sinner and Alcaraz will only play one another in Paris if they both reach the final.

The pair are yet to contest a Grand Slam final against each other, despite sharing the last five Majors between themselves.

• 2024 Australian Open F – Jannik Sinner beat Daniil Medvedev
• 2024 French Open F – Carlos Alcaraz beat Alexander Zverev
• 2024 Wimbledon F – Carlos Alcaraz beat Novak Djokovic
• 2024 US Open F – Jannik Sinner beat Taylor Fritz
• 2025 Australian Open F – Jannik Sinner beat Alexander Zverev

Across 11 career meetings, Alcaraz leads the head-to-head 7-4, winning their previous four matches.

When looking ahead to a potential final in Paris, it’s hard not to remember what happened in Rome a few weeks ago, as Alcaraz beat Sinner in the Italian Open final.

With that result in mind, it’d surely be hard to pick against the Spaniard should they play one another in this year’s French Open final.

Any talks of a 12th match between Alcaraz and Sinner are admittedly premature, however, as they’ll first turn their attentions to the fourth round.

Alcaraz will take on Ben Shelton in the fourth round on Sunday, June 1, before Sinner returns to play Andrey Rublev on Monday, June 2.