Jiri Lehecka, the third seed in this year’s European Open, kicked off his campaign in Brussels with a dominant performance against Belgian qualifier Gilles Arnauld Bailly. The Czech player advanced to the quarter-finals by securing a convincing 6-3, 6-2 victory over the 18-year-old, adding to his already impressive 5-1 record at this ATP 250 event.
Reflecting on his past success at this tournament, Lehecka expressed his contentment with his current form: “Last year, this tournament was a good success for me. I’m very happy to be here in front of the Belgian fans and I’m happy with my performance today.” His serve was particularly lethal, as he unleashed 11 aces against Bailly.
Next up for Lehecka is a matchup with Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi, who triumphed over compatriot Valentin Royer in a closely contested encounter, finishing with a score of 7-6(3), 4-6, 6-1.
In another noteworthy match, Belgian wildcard Raphael Collignon put on an impressive display to reach his first quarter-final of the tour. He edged out Argentina’s Francisco Comesana 7-5, 3-6, 7-6(10), showcasing his resilience and determination on home soil. Collignon is set to face the formidable Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, the fourth seed, who battled back from a set down to defeat American Marcos Giron 6-7(5), 6-1, 6-4.
The tournament also saw some exciting performances from qualifiers. Germany’s Yannik Hanfmann fought through a tough match against Matteo Arnaldi, claiming a 6-7(4), 6-4, 6-4 victory and earning a place in the second round, where he will take on top seed Lorenzo Musetti. Meanwhile, Georgia’s Nikoloz Basilashvili secured his spot in the next round with a straightforward 6-4, 6-4 win over Quentin Halys.
Finally, Damir Dzumhur advanced to face second seed Felix Auger-Aliassime after a hard-fought victory against wild card Federico Cina, where the scores read 6-7(5), 6-2, 7-6(3). The tournament in Brussels continues to promise thrilling matches and unexpected turns as players battle for the title.
