ATP Tour

Alcaraz survives major scare at Queen's Club to reach longest winning streak of career

Carlos Alcaraz may have taken the scenic route Thursday at the HSBC Championships, but he nonetheless achieved another eye-catching milestone.

The top-seeded Spaniard withstood a late charge from fired-up countryman Jaume Munar to prevail 6-4, 6-7(7), 7-5 and notch his 15th consecutive victory — the longest win streak in his career. Alcaraz let slip two match points in the second set tie-break before rallying from 2-4 in the deciding set to seal an absorbing three-hour, 23-minute victory.

“It was a really tough battle that we had today. Jaume is a great competitor, I think he showed how difficult it is to beat him,” said Alcaraz, who improved to 3-1 in his Lexus ATP Head2Head series with Munar. “I’m just proud of the level I played, it’s my second match on grass this year. There were a lot of things going on, but I’m really happy.

“I struggled mentally and physically. I honestly still don’t know how I’m here now. I’m just really happy to give myself another chance in the quarter-finals.”

"What an effort!" 😱@carlosalcaraz moves to a career-best 15th victory in a row after 3hrs 23mins on court@QueensTennis | #HSBCChampionships pic.twitter.com/PftULVXxYS

— ATP Tour (@atptour) June 19, 2025

Alcaraz, who is fresh from capturing titles at the ATP Masters 1000 in Rome and Roland Garros, thrilled the west London crowd with a series of early winners and a typically dazzling performance at the net. Yet he was dragged into an almighty deciding-set tussle, in which he attempted to avoid extending the rallies and instead focused on shortening the points.

Despite owning just four tour-level wins on grass, Munar showcased his potential on the surface with a resilient display. The No. 59 in the PIF ATP Rankings thoroughly tested Alcaraz's mental resolve in the final set, in which he struck with depth and precision to rattle off four consecutive games and forge a 4-2 lead.

With the sun setting and his chances fading, however, Alcaraz channeled the fighting spirit that helped him over the line in his epic Roland Garros final against Jannik Sinner two weeks ago.

With his gutsy victory against Munar, Alcaraz improved to a 22-1 record on grass since the start of the 2023 season, highlighted by his debut triumph at Queen’s Club that year and consecutive titles at Wimbledon.

In his Tour-leading ninth quarter-final of 2025, Alcaraz awaits Arthur Rinderknech, who defeated Reilly Opelka 7-5, 7-6(3).

Earlier, Jiri Lehecka continued his fine return to grass-court action by reaching his second quarter-final in as many weeks. The Czech star, who missed last year’s grass swing due to a back injury, defeated 's-Hertogenbosch champion Gabriel Diallo 6-4, 6-2 in just 64 minutes.

Lehecka has not faced a break point across his opening two matches, according to Infosys ATP Stats. Just one win away from earning his 100th tour-level victory (99-78), he will next face Jacob Fearnley.

The 23-year-old Fearnley held firm for a 6-3, 2-6, 6-2 victory over Corentin Moutet to reach his maiden ATP Tour quarter-final.