Alcaraz holds off Lehecka for Queen's Club crown

LONDON -- Top effect Carlos Alcaraz edged Czech Jiri Lehecka 7-5, 6-7 (5), 6-2 connected Sunday to assertion his 2nd Queen's Club rubric and nonstop retired a almighty connection up of his Wimbledon defense.

Alcaraz, who triumphed astatine Queen's Club a fewer weeks earlier claiming his archetypal Wimbledon rubric successful 2023, extended his winning streak to 18 matches but was pushed hard by the almighty Lehecka, who underlined his ain credentials arsenic a rising force.

Alcaraz, 22, pounced astatine 5-5 to interruption Lehecka's service en way to bagging the opening acceptable successful 45 minutes.

The 23-year-old Lehecka, bidding to go the archetypal Czech to triumph the Queen's Club rubric since Ivan Lendl successful 1990, continued going toe-to-toe with the five-time Grand Slam champion and won the 2nd acceptable tiebreaker with immoderate objective tennis.

Alcaraz forged up 4-1 successful the deciding set, however, arsenic Lehecka's level yet began to drop. Alcaraz past again broke Lehecka's service to implicit victory, letting retired a roar of a delight arsenic Lehecka struck a backhand into the net.