LONDON — Carlos Alcaraz swept previous fellow Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut on Saturday to stretch his profitable streak and arrange a Queen’s Membership last towards Jiri Lehecka.
Prime seed Alcaraz, 22, had an excessive amount of firepower for his 37-year-old opponent throughout a 6-4, 6-4 victory, his seventeenth successive win and the 250th of his profession.
British followers had hoped to witness a last showdown between Alcaraz and residential favourite Jack Draper, however Lehecka ripped up that script with excellent 6-4, 4-6, 7-5 defeat of the second seed.
Lehecka, 23, is the primary Czech man to succeed in a top-level grass-court last in 15 years.
“It means loads. You do not meet a participant like Jack every single day. He is an incredible competitor,” Lehecka mentioned.
Alcaraz, the Queen’s champion in 2023, was stretched to absolutely the restrict towards compatriot Jaume Munar earlier within the week throughout a tussle lasting greater than three hours. However he was extra snug towards Bautista Agut, who offered cussed resistance however by no means actually seemed like springing an upset on a sultry afternoon in west London.
An early break of serve in every set proved ample for Alcaraz, who reached his fifth last in a row.
“I am feeling I am enjoying nice tennis and feeling extra snug,” mentioned Alcaraz, who received his fifth Grand Slam title this month on the French Open. “I really like stepping on courtroom and love enjoying with a smile on my face. That is why I am making good outcomes.”
Earlier, world No. 30 Lehecka silenced the group by beating Draper, whose run to the semifinals means he shall be seeded fourth at Wimbledon, which begins June 30.
Draper, bidding to observe within the footsteps of five-time Queen’s champion Andy Murray, dropped his opening service recreation, and Lehecka barely a put a foot mistaken as he took the primary set in scientific vogue.
Left-hander Draper saved a break level early within the second set and broke Lehecka’s serve for the primary time within the tenth recreation to degree the match.
Each gamers had been rock stable on serve within the decider, with Lehecka having the primary probability of a break at 4-4, however Draper survived to pile the stress on his opponent.
Lehecka didn’t flinch, although, and broke serve at 5-5 with two beautiful passing pictures, one a forehand after which a backhand, to go away Draper smashing his racket in rage towards a courtside digital promoting board and receiving a code violation.
Lehecka nonetheless wanted to carry his serve to succeed in the ultimate and did so in type, roaring his delight after clinching his first victory towards a top-10 participant since beating Alcaraz in Doha in February.
The final Czech man to succeed in a top-level grass-court last was Tomas Berdych at Wimbledon in 2010, and the final to take action at Queen’s was Ivan Lendl in 1990.
Draper mentioned he would take a number of days off to get better from tonsillitis.
“I am happy with the best way I went about issues, contemplating, however it’s robust,” Draper mentioned. “My major purpose is to enter Wimbledon as ready as doable and as contemporary as doable.”
