Jack Draper Triumphs Over Jiri Lehecka to Secure Qatar Open Final Spot

British tennis star Jack Draper defeats Jiri Lehecka in a thrilling match to advance to the Qatar Open final, setting up a clash with Andrey Rublev.

British number one Jack Draper has secured his place in the Qatar Open final after a hard-fought victory over Jiri Lehecka of the Czech Republic. The match ended with scores of 3-6 7-6 (7-2) 6-3, showcasing Draper's resilience and skill on the court.

Lehecka took an early lead by breaking Draper's serve in the eighth game of the first set. However, the second set was more evenly matched, eventually leading to a tie-break where Draper excelled with a near-flawless performance to level the match.

The decisive third set saw both players holding their serves until a crucial double fault from Lehecka gave Draper the break he needed. Frustration got the better of Lehecka, who threw his racket to the floor, while Draper capitalized on his second match point to secure the win.

"I thought in the first set I put in a sloppy game," Draper admitted post-match. "But I started to get a lead on his serve, holding easier and creating a lot of pressure behind his serve. I felt more positive as the match went on. I'm proud of the way I competed out there."

Draper, who recently reached the fourth round of the Australian Open, is set to face Andrey Rublev in the final. Rublev, currently ranked 10th in the world, defeated Canada's Felix Auger-Aliassime in a closely contested match with scores of 7-5 4-6 7-6 (7-5).

"I feel that I'm playing better and better week by week, I'm improving," Rublev commented after his victory. He has a perfect record in previous encounters with Draper, making the upcoming final an exciting prospect.

In the men's doubles, an all-British final is set after Neal Skupski and Joe Salisbury overcame Henry Patten and Harri Heliovaara with a score of 3-6 6-3 10-5. Earlier, another British pair, Lloyd Glasspool and Julian Cash, defeated Yuki Bhambri and Ivan Dodig 7-6 (7-3) 6-3.

This marks the third ATP Tour final featuring two all-British teams, with all three involving at least one of the Skupski brothers.

What to Read Next

BBC Sport Secures Exclusive Rights to Queen's Club Championships Until 2027: A New Era for Grass-Court Tennis
Tennis

BBC Sport Secures Exclusive Rights to Queen's Club Championships Until 2027: A New Era for Grass-Court Tennis

BBC Sport extends its deal with the Lawn Tennis Association to broadcast the Queen's Club Championships until 2027, featuring both men's and women's events for the first time in over 50 years.

Emma Raducanu's Clay Court Mastery: A Rising Star in Tennis
Tennis

Emma Raducanu's Clay Court Mastery: A Rising Star in Tennis

Emma Raducanu shines on clay with a commanding win at the Italian Open, showcasing her growing prowess and strategic gameplay.

From Manchester to Kosovo: The Inspiring Journey of Building Kosovo's First Tennis Court
Tennis

From Manchester to Kosovo: The Inspiring Journey of Building Kosovo's First Tennis Court

Discover how David Bryceland's decade-long fundraising effort led to the creation of Kosovo's first all-weather tennis court, transforming lives and fostering hope.

Raducanu's Remarkable Comeback Sets Stage for Thrilling Clash with Gauff at Italian Open
Tennis

Raducanu's Remarkable Comeback Sets Stage for Thrilling Clash with Gauff at Italian Open

Emma Raducanu stages an impressive comeback to secure a match against Coco Gauff in the Italian Open, showcasing her resilience and skill on clay.

Kostyuk Commends Kasatkina's Bold Move from Russia to Australia Ahead of Italian Open Clash
Tennis

Kostyuk Commends Kasatkina's Bold Move from Russia to Australia Ahead of Italian Open Clash

Marta Kostyuk praises Daria Kasatkina's courage in switching nationalities from Russia to Australia, highlighting her stance against the Ukraine conflict and LGBTQ+ laws.

Rublev and Safin: A Promising Tennis Partnership for the Clay Court Season
Tennis

Rublev and Safin: A Promising Tennis Partnership for the Clay Court Season

Explore the new coaching partnership between Andrey Rublev and tennis legend Marat Safin as they tackle the clay court season together.

Iga Swiatek Dominates Italian Open: Eyes Fourth Rome Title and French Open Glory
Tennis

Iga Swiatek Dominates Italian Open: Eyes Fourth Rome Title and French Open Glory

Iga Swiatek advances to the Italian Open third round with ease, aiming for her fourth title in Rome and preparing for the French Open.

Iga Swiatek Dominates Madrid Open: Advances to Last 16 with Convincing Win Over Linda Noskova
Tennis

Iga Swiatek Dominates Madrid Open: Advances to Last 16 with Convincing Win Over Linda Noskova

World number two Iga Swiatek continues her impressive run at the Madrid Open, securing a spot in the last 16 with a decisive victory over Linda Noskova.

Emma Raducanu's Madrid Open Journey Ends Early Against Marta Kostyuk
Tennis

Emma Raducanu's Madrid Open Journey Ends Early Against Marta Kostyuk

Emma Raducanu exits the Madrid Open in the second round after a tough match against Marta Kostyuk, highlighting a challenging day for British women in tennis.

Jack Draper Triumphs Over Lorenzo Musetti to Secure Madrid Open Final Spot
Tennis

Jack Draper Triumphs Over Lorenzo Musetti to Secure Madrid Open Final Spot

Jack Draper defeats Lorenzo Musetti in a thrilling match to reach the Madrid Open final, setting up a clash with Casper Ruud.

Holger Rune's Triumph: A Bold Victory Over Carlos Alcaraz at the Barcelona Open
Tennis

Holger Rune's Triumph: A Bold Victory Over Carlos Alcaraz at the Barcelona Open

Holger Rune clinches the Barcelona Open title with a stunning performance against Carlos Alcaraz, marking a significant comeback in his career.

Aryna Sabalenka Triumphs Over Coco Gauff in a Thrilling Madrid Open Final
Tennis

Aryna Sabalenka Triumphs Over Coco Gauff in a Thrilling Madrid Open Final

Aryna Sabalenka secures her third Madrid Open title with a thrilling victory over Coco Gauff, showcasing her dominance in the tennis world.

Carlos Alcaraz Dominates Djere to Advance to Barcelona Open Quarter-Finals
Tennis

Carlos Alcaraz Dominates Djere to Advance to Barcelona Open Quarter-Finals

Carlos Alcaraz continues his winning streak with a straight-set victory over Laslo Djere, advancing to the quarter-finals of the Barcelona Open.

Jack Draper's Clay Court Struggles Continue with Monte Carlo Exit
Tennis

Jack Draper's Clay Court Struggles Continue with Monte Carlo Exit

Jack Draper faces a tough loss at the Monte Carlo Masters, highlighting challenges on clay courts against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.

Novak Djokovic Seeks Redemption at Geneva Open Ahead of French Open 2025
Tennis

Novak Djokovic Seeks Redemption at Geneva Open Ahead of French Open 2025

Novak Djokovic aims to regain form at the Geneva Open before the French Open 2025, following a series of unexpected losses.

Load More

We use essential cookies to make our site work. With your consent, we may also use non-essential cookies to improve user experience and analyze website traffic. By clicking "Accept," you agree to our website's cookie use as described in our Cookie Policy.