Alcaraz vs Lehecka start time and how to watch Queen's Club final today
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South Wales Argus
23-06-2025
- South Wales Argus
Jack Draper using Queen's exit for motivation ahead of Wimbledon
Draper missed out on reaching the final in West Kensington after he fell to a 6-4 4-6 7-5 defeat at the hands of Jiri Lehecka, who will face reigning Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz in Sunday's decider, after the Spaniard's straight sets 6-4 6-4 success over compatriot Roberto Bautista Agut in Saturday's other semi-final. Though Draper can only watch their contest from the sidelines, he hopes to use the experience of his week in west London as the building block for a fruitful summer on the lawns of SW19. 'It's my best result here,' said Draper, who was battling a bout of tonsilitis. "I lost to a better player today on the day, missed a couple of shots here and there, and at this level you obviously can't do that. 'I felt like it was a solid week. I didn't play my best tennis, but at the same time seeing the improvements since last year and I gave myself a chance of being in the final tomorrow. 'I didn't quite get over the line but that's tennis really and I'm looking to keep improving from here to hopefully do better at Wimbledon. 'I'm obviously very gutted right now. I gave myself a chance of being out there tomorrow. This is a tournament I have watched since I was young and I'm always really motivated to come here. 'It hurts a bit more because it's at home. Obviously it isn't the big one, but every match I lose, I take really hard, especially here, so it will definitely take me a couple of days. All of my losses, I just use as fuel and as motivation to get better. Now I have got to improve some things in the next week. 'I'm really happy to be able to have four matches on the grass and that's a real plus going into Wimbledon. Draper began his battle with Lehecka on the backfoot after going down a break in the opening set and the Czech star swiftly secured an early lead. The British No.1 found a way back into the contest in the second and entered the third poised to complete the comeback. But he was unable to carry that momentum into the decider, falling to Lehecka after two hours and nine minutes. It was a chance missed and Draper's frustration was plain to see after his dream of a home final was denied by the Czech, provoking the 23-year-old to apologise for his temporary loss of composure. Draper added: 'I have worked so hard to get myself in that position and I really tried to get myself up and get the energy going. 'I was trying to use everything I could. I tried to compete for every ball but in the end, anger just spilled over a little bit too much.' Draper's exploits in reaching the final four at Queen's earlier this week secured him a top four seed at Wimbledon ahead of next week's all important draw. That means he will avoid heavyweight duo Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, between them winners of the last six Grand Slams, until the semi-finals should he progress that far. There, the eyes of the nation will be upon him as the great hope of British tennis and Draper is welcoming the weight of expectation. He said: 'Obviously there is a little bit of pressure, but at the same time, I have really felt the home support. It's gotten more in every match I played and that's something that really is an advantage and drives me on. 'When I'm out there, I don't think about any of pressure. I've got a job in front of me. I've got to play point by point. 'It's a privilege to be in the position I'm in, and I'm going to go to Wimbledon and I'm going to feel amazing. I'm going to feel great about myself. I'm going back there in the position that I have always wanted to be since I was a kid and I'll prepare properly and the best I can to play some of my best tennis there. 'The home support that I will receive is going to help me to do well.' Draper was not the only home favourite in action in West Kensington, with plenty of British action to be found in doubles. Jacob Fearnley and Cameron Norrie fell to a semi-final exit at the hands of doubles specialists Michael Venus and Nikola Mektić 6-3 7-5 but British interest remains thanks to Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool's victory over Henry Patten and Harri Heliovaara to book their place in the final. For the latest action on the British summer grass court season, check out the LTA website
South Wales Argus
23-06-2025
- South Wales Argus
Queen's is 'home sweet home' for Alcaraz after triumph
The 2023 champion defeated Lehecka 7-5 6-7(5) 6-2 at the Andy Murray Arena to take back his West Kensington crown after last year's second-round exit to British No.1 Jack Draper. It was double delight for the Spanish superstar in W14, with the result a career record 18th successive victory on all surfaces, following his epic victory at Roland Garros, and Alcaraz was quick to praise the Queen's lawns for allowing him to showcase the best of his tennis as he ramps up to defend his Wimbledon title at this summer's Championships. "It's really special, this trophy and this tournament,' said Alcaraz. 'I'm happy to lift this trophy once again. I have to say Jiri has had an incredible week – his level is really high – it's a nightmare playing against him. "I have to thank everyone who makes it [Queen's] possible, they all make me feel at home. I came here without expectations, just trying to get used to the grass as much as possible. "I want to say thanks to my team for the whole week and my family and friends. Without them it would not have been possible. It's been really special playing in front of all of you – every year does – and I can't wait to come back next year." Alcaraz needed two hours and ten minutes to fend off Lehecka, clinching the opening set after a break in the penultimate game. The world No.2 picked up where he left off in the second by serving up four aces to lead 3-2, only for Lehecka to push the set to a tie-break before firing off an ace of his own to level the match. That, however, proved to be the only high note of the world No.30's battle against Alcaraz, as he was broken by the Spaniard not long into the third set, who then went on to take three games on the bounce to ease into a comfortable 4-1 lead. From there, it was game, set and match but Lehecka – who ended British interest in W14 when he eliminated Draper in Saturday's semi-final – was gracious in defeat, revealing that the result does little to dampen what has been an enjoyable week. "It's tough for me to find some words now, but I'm happy that I had a chance to fight for the title,' conceded Lehecka. 'Obviously, well done to Carlos and his team for doing a great job as always. I gave everything I had - unfortunately it wasn't enough, but it's always great to be back at Queen's. "I want to thank everyone here for making this event possible - to HSBC, the LTA, all the ball kids, all the fans of course, and most importantly - my team". For the latest action on the British summer grass court season, check out the LTA website
Leader Live
22-06-2025
- Leader Live
Carlos Alcaraz regains his Queen's crown after beating Jiri Lehecka in final
The Spanish top seed replicated his debut triumph on the grass courts of west London in 2023 with a 7-5 6-7 (5) 6-2 victory. It was an 18th-straight match win for Alcaraz – in his fifth consecutive final – following his title successes in Rome and at the French Open. VAMOS KING CARLOS!! 🏆❤️🔥 The incredible @carlosalcaraz wins the #HSBCChampionships title @QueensTennis | @atptour — LTA (@the_LTA) June 22, 2025 World number 30 Lehecka had knocked out home hope Jack Draper on Saturday to become the first Czech finalist since Ivan Lendl won the title in 1990. The 23-year-old played his part in a high-quality final with some huge serves and powerful groundstrokes, forcing the match to a decider via a tie-break. But Alcaraz, the defending Wimbledon champion, did not face a single break point and slammed down 18 aces on his way to a 21st career title, proving he will be the man to beat at SW19 again with a stylish win in two hours and eight minutes. 'It's really special, this trophy and this tournament. I'm happy to lift this trophy once again,' he said. 'Jiri, you had an incredible week and it's a nightmare to play against you. Great week, great job and keep it up for Wimbledon. 'It has been an incredible week. I came without expectations and just wanted to play good tennis and to get used to the grass.' Alcaraz got a first look at a break point at 2-2, but he barely saw the 138mph ace that snuffed it out. At 4-5 the 22-year-old was in a spot of bother, serving at 0-30, but with a quick squeeze of the accelerator he reeled off eight of the next 10 points to hold and then grab the crucial break. Alcaraz had dropped just 10 points on serve before the second-set tie-break but he suddenly dropped his guard, with an untimely double fault and a pair of Lehecka aces taking the match the distance. But Lehecka dipped in the third with Alcaraz breaking for 3-1, and before long a flashing forehand brought up two championship points, the world number two taking the first and roaring with delight at a second Queen's title.
