Major disappointment for Jack Draper who after dominating the Adelaide International final for a set and half, let the match slip from his grasp allowing Jiri Lehecka to claim the title in three sets in what was only his second appearance in a title round.
We’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time, and now it’s here Jiri Lehecka
Both 22-year-olds were chasing their first tour titles but on the day, it was the young seventh seeded Czech who was able to celebrate achieving the career milestone after orchestrating a 4-6 6-4 6-3 comeback win over the unseeded British No.4.
In what proved an intense two-hour, 8-minute final, Lehečka showcased his prowess with 34 winners, ten more than his opponent, along with eight aces and 17 unforced errors.
“It’s hard for me to say something, because it is so emotional for me to win my first title here in Adelaide,” Lehecka said during the trophy presentations. “We’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time, and now it’s here,” he added, thanking his coach Michal Navrátil as well as his family and fans.
“I’m super excited. I would like to congratulate Jack and his team, because it is such a joy to watch you… I wish you all the best for the rest of the season. Just stay healthy and keep playing.”
Lehečka’s journey to his first title included a good run at last year’s Australian Open, where he reached the quarterfinals for the first time in his career.
“I’d like to congratulate Jiří and his coach,” Draper said after today’s title match. ”You guys have been doing some amazing work. A career-high ranking, playing some amazing tennis, and your first title. I was trying to do the same today, but you deserve it and you were the better player today.”
The Czech tennis star’s path to the Adelaide International title included notable victories against opponents like the third seed American Sebastian Korda and Chile’s Nicolás Jarry, the second seed.
But there was some consolation for British fans as Jo Salisbury and his American partner Rajeev Ram won the doubles title by defeating the second seed Rohan Bopanna of India and Australia’s Mat Ebden 7-5 5-7 11-9 in 98-minutes.
The two finalists pose with their trophies
(Photo by Sarah Reed/Getty Images)
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