Carlos Alcaraz beats Jiri Lehecka in Queen s final to send Wimbledon statement

LONDON – Top seed Carlos Alcaraz edged out Czech Jiri Lehecka 7-5, 6-7 (5-7),6-2 to claim his second Queen’s Club title on June 22 and send out a powerful statement ahead of his Wimbledon defence.

The 22-year-old Spaniard, who triumphed at Queen’s a few weeks before claiming his first Wimbledon title in 2023, extended his winning streak to 18 matches but was pushed hard by Lehecka, who underlined his own credentials as a rising force.

Alcaraz pounced at 5-5 to break the Lehecka serve and duly bagged the opening set in 45 minutes.

Lehecka, bidding to become the first Czech to win the Queen’s title since Ivan Lendl in 1990, continued going toe-to-toe with the five-time Grand Slam champion and claimed the second-set tiebreak with some clinical tennis.

Alcaraz had more in his locker though and forged 4-1 ahead in the decider as Lehecka’s level finally began to drop on a breezy Andy Murray Arena in west London.

He then broke the 23-year-old Lehecka’s serve again to complete victory, letting out a roar of a delight as Lehecka struck a backhand into the net.

While Alcaraz will be seeded second at Wimbledon behind Jannik Sinner as he bids for a hat-trick of titles there, he will arrive in red-hot form and as the big favourite.

He has won 27 of his 28 matches since April, his lone loss coming against Holger Rune in the Barcelona final, and the June 22 win was his fifth title in 2025.

“This is really special this trophy and this tournament for me,” Alcaraz said on court as he clutched the huge piece of silverware. “Jiri had an incredible week and his level is very high and it’s a nightmare to play against you.”

Lehecka, whose ball-striking and physique are not dissimilar to Lendl’s,