In a surprising turn of events at the 2024 European Open semifinal, Jiri Lehecka ousted second-seeded Stefanos Tsitsipas. Lehecka, who has been gaining momentum, dominated the match with his aggressive baseline play and precise shot-making, defeating Tsitsipas in straight sets. The Czech rising star has showcased tremendous growth in his game, relying on his powerful serves and fearless groundstrokes to outmaneuver his higher-ranked opponent.
Tsitsipas struggled to find his rhythm throughout the match, with Lehecka frequently outpacing him in long rallies. The Greek star seemed unable to counter Lehecka’s aggressive court positioning, which left Tsitsipas vulnerable to Lehecka’s sharp forehands and consistent backhand returns.
This loss comes as a disappointment for Tsitsipas, who had high hopes of advancing further in the tournament. Lehecka’s impressive performance, however, serves as a statement of his arrival among the elite players on the tour. With this victory, Lehecka has secured a place in the European Open final, marking one of the biggest wins of his career to date【9†source】【10†source】.
The win underscores Lehecka’s continued rise in the ATP rankings and solidifies his reputation as a formidable competitor capable of defeating top-tier players. For Tsitsipas, it is a moment of reflection, as he has faced several upsets this season, including a coaching shake-up with his father, Apostolos, earlier this year.
Jiri Lehecka has eliminated second-seeded Stefanos Tsitsipas from the 2024 European Open semifinal in a major upset. Lehecka, ranked 30th in the world, delivered a stunning performance to knock out the Greek star, winning the match in straight sets. The 22-year-old Czech has been making waves on the ATP tour this season, and his victory over Tsitsipas is one of his biggest achievements to date.
Lehecka’s aggressive baseline game and consistency in long rallies gave him the upper hand, frustrating Tsitsipas, who struggled to find his form throughout the match. Lehecka’s powerful serves and well-timed net approaches kept Tsitsipas on the backfoot. For Tsitsipas, this marks another disappointing result in a year filled with challenges, including a recent coaching change where he parted ways with his father Apostolos.
With this victory, Lehecka advances to the final, aiming for his first ATP title of the season. His success at the European Open signifies his growing potential as a top contender on the ATP tour. Tsitsipas, meanwhile, will need to reassess his approach as he prepares for the remainder of the indoor hardcourt season【9†source】【10†source】.
