03/27/26 06:09:00
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03/27 18:08 CDT Lehecka routs Fils to reach the Miami Open final and will play
for his biggest ATP title
Lehecka routs Fils to reach the Miami Open final and will play for his biggest
ATP title
By MARC BERMAN
Associated Press
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) --- For the second year in a row, a player from the
Czech Republic has made the finals of the Miami Open.
Jiri Lehecka, seeded 21st, advanced to the biggest ATP final of his rising
career when he routed 28th seed Arthur Fils 6-2, 6-2 on Friday in the early
semifinal at Hard Rock Stadium.
Lehecka's countryman, Jakub Mensik, won the Miami Open last year. The Czech duo
enjoyed rousing success in South Florida six months ago as part of Czech
Republic's second-round victory over the U.S. in Davis Cup.
Lehecka will face the winner of Friday night's marquee semifinal between No. 2
Jannik Sinner and fourth-seeded Alexander Zverev.
"I will be watching tonight's match,'' Lehecka said in the on-court interview.
"Two great, experienced guys.''
Lehecka will make his first finals appearance in an ATP Masters 1000 event. The
men's draw got lighter after Carlos Alcaraz was upset in the third round by
Sebastian Korda and Novak Djokovic skipped the event due to a right shoulder
ailment.
Lehecka said his goal for 2026 was to be more consistent in his practices,
which he feels prevented him from making a Masters 1000 final previously.
"Today was a great match,'' Lehecka said. "Definitely brought me a lot of
confidence going into the final. To return well was one of my goals today. I
didn't want him to have time for his forehand. His forehand is amazing."
Lehecka, 24, broke Fils in the opening game and the outcome never seemed in
doubt. On match point, Lehecka served an ace wide to the ad court and raised
his arms triumphantly. Lehecka finished with six aces, no doubles faults and
didn't face a break point.
In the opening game, Lehecka cashed in on break point as Fils' running forehand
hit the base of the net.
Lehecka broke Fils twice in the first set and won 82% of his points on first
serve. Lehecka hasn't been broken yet in the tournament.
Fils, the 21-year-old Frenchman, had saved four match points in his
quarterfinal victory over American Tommy Paul but seemed to have little gas
left. Fils, 21, had won their last meeting in the quarters of the Qatar Open in
Doha with a 6-3, 6-3 victory on Feb. 19.
"Disappointed in the loss today, could've done better," Fils said. "It was
completely different in Doha. I came in with a fresh mind, fresh everything. It
was tough for me to find a rhythm."
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AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis
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