Jiri Lehecka to Face Felix Auger-Aliassime in Madrid Open Semi-Finals

Jiri Lehecka Advances to Madrid Open Semi-Finals After Medvedev Retires

In a surprising turn of events at the Mutua Madrid Open, Jiri Lehecka has advanced to the semi-finals after Daniil Medvedev was forced to retire following the opening set of their quarter-final match. The Russian retired after losing the first set 6-4, giving Lehecka the opportunity to move on to the first ATP Masters 1000 semi-final of his career.

Medvedev, who needed treatment on his upper right leg during the match, expressed difficulty moving to his right and ultimately made the decision not to continue after Lehecka broke his serve in the ninth game of the set. Lehecka, ranked 31st, capitalized on the situation and won the final three games of the day, securing his spot in the semi-finals.

Reflecting on his victory, Lehecka acknowledged the challenging circumstances of the match, stating, “It’s never easy in a match like this. If I were to choose the way how to win this match, it wouldn’t be like that.” The 22-year-old Czech player, who recently won his first ATP title in Adelaide, will now face Felix Auger-Aliassime in the semi-finals.

The Madrid Open saw another unexpected development as top seed Jannik Sinner withdrew from the tournament due to a hip injury, allowing Auger-Aliassime to advance to the semi-finals via walkover. With the men’s match schedule altered, Andrey Rublev and Taylor Fritz will also compete in the semi-finals on Friday.

As the tournament continues, tennis fans can look forward to watching the action unfold live on Sky Sports Tennis. With over 80 tournaments a year, including the upcoming French Open at Roland Garros, viewers can enjoy the excitement of the ATP and WTA tours from the comfort of their homes. Don’t miss out on the thrilling matches and talented players as the clay-court season heats up.