Lehecka rallies past Draper to lift Adelaide trophy

Jiri Lehecka prevailed in a clash between two big-hitting 22-year-olds Saturday at the Adelaide International, where the Czech overcame Jack Draper to claim his maiden ATP Tour crown.

Lehecka dug deep for a 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 comeback victory at the hard-court ATP 250 in South Australia. Lehecka dialled in to clinch a tight second set before taking control early in the decider of his first Lexus ATP Head2Head clash with Draper en route to a two-hour, eight-minute championship-match win.

“It’s hard for me to say something, because it is so emotional for me to win my first title here in Adelaide,” said Lehecka at the trophy ceremony. “I’m super excited. I would like to congratulate Jack and his team, because it is such a joy to watch you… I wish you all the best for the rest of the season. Just stay healthy and keep playing.”

One for the memory bank 😍@jirilehecka | @AdelaideTennis | #AdelaideTennis pic.twitter.com/dzxpyqJXB5

— ATP Tour (@atptour) January 13, 2024

Lehecka outhit Draper by 34 winners to 24, according to Infosys ATP Stats, as both players contested their second ATP Tour title match. The seventh-seeded Czech used his heavy forehand to increasingly dictate rallies as the match wore on, and he also showcased his mental resilience when he crucially held serve from 3-1, 0/40 in the third set.

“I’d like to congratulate Jiri and his coach,” said Draper,”You guys have been doing some amazing work. A career-high ranking, playing some amazing tennis, and your first title. I was trying to do the same today, but you deserve it and you were the better player today.”

The first Czech ATP Tour title winner since Jiri Vesely in Pune in 2020, Lehecka will on Monday rise nine spots to a new career high of No. 23 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings as a result of his title run. His Adelaide triumph will boost his confidence as he heads to the Australian Open, where he reached his maiden major quarter-final in 2023. The Czech will take on Bernabe Zapata Miralles in his opening match in Melbourne, where Draper starts his campaign against Marcos Giron.