Jack Draper reaches the Qatar Open semi-finals by defeating Matteo Berrettini, while top seed Carlos Alcaraz is eliminated by Jiri Lehecka. In Dubai, Mirra Andreeva surprises with a win over Iga Swiatek.
Jack Draper has advanced to the semi-finals of the Qatar Open after a comeback victory against Italy’s Matteo Berrettini, winning the match 4-6, 6-4, 6-3. Despite losing the first set, Draper turned the tide, showcasing his resilience in the final set, where he broke serve twice, securing a decisive lead and closing out the match comfortably.
Draper will face Jiri Lehecka in the semi-finals after Lehecka unexpectedly eliminated top seed Carlos Alcaraz with a 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 win. This loss marked only Alcaraz’s second defeat of the year, having previously lost only to Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open quarter-finals earlier in January.
Alcaraz expressed uncertainty over areas for improvement in his game following the defeat, admitting it was challenging emotionally. He acknowledged Lehecka’s tenacity despite being under pressure in the match.
Lehecka, reflecting on his win, noted, “The match was up and down… I believed in myself. I knew that I had the level to produce that kind of tennis. I didn’t back down.” This victory represents a significant achievement for Lehecka.
Meanwhile, Andrey Rublev survived a tough quarter-final against Alex de Minaur, saving a match point before winning 6-1, 3-6, 7-6(10-8). Rublev will now compete against Felix Auger-Aliassime, who advanced when Daniil Medvedev retired during his match. Auger-Aliassime reported surprise at Medvedev’s condition, wishing no serious issues.
In Dubai, 17-year-old Mirra Andreeva secured a notable win against world No. 2 Iga Swiatek with a score of 6-3, 6-3, reaching her first WTA 1000 semi-final. This marks a significant improvement from her previous year’s first-round exit and highlights her growth in the sport.
In summary, Jack Draper progresses to the Qatar Open semi-finals after overcoming Matteo Berrettini, while Carlos Alcaraz, the top seed, suffers an unexpected loss to Jiri Lehecka. Mirra Andreeva also shines in Dubai, defeating Iga Swiatek. The upcoming matches promise intense competition as players vie for finals spots in both tournaments.
Original Source: www.skysports.com
