Audio By Carbonatix
World number two Carlos Alcaraz held off a battling Jiri Lehecka to seal his second Queen's title with victory in an absorbing final on Sunday.
The Spaniard won 7-5 6-7 (5-7) 6-2 to take his 21st career title but was pushed hard by the in-form Lehecka, who was one of only five players to have beaten Alcaraz this year.
Lehecka had seen off British number one Jack Draper in the last four to secure his place in the final and initially looked unable to deal with the quality of Alcaraz in the first set.
But a much closer second set went the distance, with Lehecka overcoming the disappointment of being lobbed after a superb drop shot in the tie-break to then serve an ace and level the match.
Alcaraz, though, showed why he is such a formidable opponent as he recovered from that disappointment to step it up a gear in the third, breaking early on his way to securing the match and the title.
It was an 18th match win in a row for Alcaraz and a fifth title in 2025 to ensure he starts his bid for a third successive Wimbledon crown as a player in form.
"I'm happy to lift this trophy once again," Alcaraz said.
"It has been an incredible week. I came without expectations and just wanted to play good tennis and to get used to the grass.
"It's really special playing here every year and I can't wait to come back next year."
Alcaraz looking unstoppable on grass
The speed at which Alcaraz raced through the third set showed just how difficult an opponent he is to face, given the momentum heading into the decider appeared to be with Lehecka.
The 23-year-old Czech had beaten Alcaraz in three sets in the quarter-finals of the Qatar Open in February and must have sensed a repeat after a brilliant display in the second-set tie-break.
There the Queen's crowd was treated to some incredible tennis and fans were on their feet when Alcaraz somehow returned a point he seemed certain to lose when he stretched to lob his opponent. Lehecka responded from that setback to hit an ace and take the set.
But Alcaraz was almost unplayable in the third set, dominating on his serve and hitting some excellent winners as he followed up this month's French Open victory with this success.
Five-time Grand Slam champion Alcaraz had made a relatively slow start to the tournament as he acclimatised to grass after a long season on clay, but now looks completely comfortable on the surface in time for Wimbledon, which starts on 30 June.
Latest Stories
-
Western Regional Minister urges Ghanaians to use Christmas to deepen national cohesion  Â
56 minutes -
Thousands turn Aburi Gardens into a festive paradise at Joy FM’s Party in the Park
58 minutes -
Source of GOLDBOD’s trading funds questioned amid reported $214m loss
1 hour -
Kind Hearted Beings Charity spreads joy during festive season
1 hour -
Gun Amnesty: Take advantage before it expires on January 15 – Interior Ministry
1 hour -
KNUST College of Engineering deepens industry partnerships to drive innovation and national development
2 hours -
Mammoth crowd turned up for 2025 edition of Joy FM’s Family Party in the Park
2 hours -
NDC can’t change the constitution alone – Minority MPs hold key role, says Barker-Vormawor
3 hours -
Parents of Persons with Disabilities call for affordable rehabilitation servicesÂ
3 hours -
Barker-Vormawor urges President Mahama to lead constitutional reform implementation
3 hours -
Dr Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe calls for abolition of ex gratia payments, excessive benefits for public officeholders
3 hours -
Dr Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe backs review of presidential immunity provisions in Ghana’s constitution
3 hours -
Dr Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe opposes presidential term extension
4 hours -
Dr Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe: On Ghana’s constitution review and the future of democratic governance
4 hours -
Victoria Bright supports lowering presidential age limit to 30
4 hours
