World number 137 Lehecka sets up Tsitsipas clash in Rotterdam
World number 137 Jiri Lehecka of the Czech Republic reached his maiden ATP semi-final in Rotterdam on Friday where he will face top seed Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Lehecka, a 20-year-old qualifier, defeated Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti 6-3, 1-6, 7-5 in his quarter-final clash.
First tour-level semifinals feels 🤩
Jiri Lehecka impressive Rotterdam run continues, he defeats Musetti 6-3, 1-6, 7-5 and will play the World No. 4 next 👀 @abnamrowtt | #ABNAMROWTT pic.twitter.com/KfAwdIkcrj
— ATP Tour (@atptour) February 11, 2022
“It is an incredible feeling. The things I am achieving here are incredible. This is the big stage and I am happy I can be here and play these matches,” he said.
“Today it was another tough match against an incredibly tough opponent. I will now try and rest ahead of tomorrow and we will see.”
He is the lowest-ranked Rotterdam semi-finalist since world number 225 Omar Camporese reached the last four in 1995.
World number four Tsitsipas eased past Alex de Minaur of Australia 6-4, 6-4 in his last-eight match.
Tsitsipas dismantles the demon. ✔️👿
A splendid 6-4 6-4 win over Alex de Minaur earns the 1️⃣st seed at the #abnamrowtt a second straight semifinal. 👏
Tsitsipas will face tournament revelation Jiri Lehecka on Saturday. 😁 pic.twitter.com/lnrascyUBy
— ABN AMRO WTT (@abnamrowtt) February 11, 2022
Third seed Felix Auger-Aliassime also made the last-four with a 7-5, 7-6 (7/4) win over Cameron Norrie.
🛑 Felix gives Norrie the stop sign. ✋
Auger-Aliassime completes the British double in Rotterdam, the night after taking down Murray.
A hard-fought 7-5 7-6(4) win brings the No.3 seed into Saturday’s semis. 💪 #abnamrowtt pic.twitter.com/sNbEIrYFcm
— ABN AMRO WTT (@abnamrowtt) February 11, 2022
It was the Canadian’s second successive victory over a British player having knocked out former world number one Andy Murray on Wednesday.
He next faces Russian second seed and defending champion Andrey Rublev who defeated Marton Fucsovics of Hungary 6-4, 6-3.