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The Qatar Open has witnessed a significant upset with the defeat of top-seeded Carlos Alcaraz at the hands of 25th-ranked Jiri Lehecka in the quarterfinals. The match, which lasted three sets, ended with Lehecka emerging victorious, winning 6-3, 3-6, 6-4. This loss marks only the second defeat for Alcaraz in 2025, with his previous loss being to Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open quarterfinals. Alcaraz, ranked No. 3, had recently won the Rotterdam Open earlier this month, showcasing his strong form in the tennis circuit.
Lehecka's victory over Alcaraz was a testament to his tenacity and skill on the court. Despite Alcaraz leading 4-2 in the third set and having a break point on Lehecka's serve, the Czech player managed to win the next three games, ultimately advancing to the semifinals. Lehecka will next face eighth-seeded Jack Draper, who defeated Matteo Berrettini 4-6, 6-4, 6-3. The match between Alcaraz and Lehecka was intense from the start, with Lehecka displaying remarkable composure under pressure, firing eight aces and capitalizing on four of eight break point opportunities.
The Qatar Open has continued to produce dramatic moments, with fifth-seeded Andrey Rublev edging out second-seeded Alex de Minaur in a three-set battle, winning 6-1, 3-6, 7-6(8). Rublev will now face Canada's Felix Auger-Aliassime, who advanced after fourth seed Daniil Medvedev was forced to retire due to food poisoning. The tournament schedule is as follows:
- Quarterfinals: Carlos Alcaraz vs Jiri Lehecka - 6-3, 3-6, 6-4
- Quarterfinals: Jack Draper vs Matteo Berrettini - 4-6, 6-4, 6-3
- Quarterfinals: Andrey Rublev vs Alex de Minaur - 6-1, 3-6, 7-6(8)
- Semifinals: Jiri Lehecka vs Jack Draper
- Semifinals: Andrey Rublev vs Felix Auger-Aliassime
- Carlos Alcaraz: 1 win, 2 losses in 2025
- Jiri Lehecka: 1 win, 0 losses in the Qatar Open quarterfinals
- Jack Draper: 1 win, 0 losses in the Qatar Open quarterfinals
The tournament has taken an unexpected turn with the exit of top-ranked stars, including Alcaraz and Djokovic. The focus now shifts to the remaining players as they battle for the title. Lehecka's victory over Alcaraz has shaken up the tournament, and the Czech rising star will look to carry his momentum into the semifinals. The team rankings are:
- Carlos Alcaraz: ranked No. 3
- Jiri Lehecka: ranked No. 25
- Jack Draper: ranked No. 8
The Qatar Open will continue to be an exciting event, with the remaining players giving their all to win the title. With the absence of top-ranked stars, the tournament has become even more unpredictable, and fans can expect thrilling matches in the coming days. The match scores are:
- Carlos Alcaraz vs Jiri Lehecka: 6-3, 3-6, 6-4
- Jack Draper vs Matteo Berrettini: 4-6, 6-4, 6-3
- Andrey Rublev vs Alex de Minaur: 6-1, 3-6, 7-6(8)
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