Czech Republic’s Jiri Lehecka utilized his powerful serve, tallying 16 aces, to come back from an early deficit and secure a hard-fought 6-7 (6), 7-6 (5), 6-4 victory over fourth-seeded Russian Karen Khachanov at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships on Wednesday. Despite facing a 4-2 deficit in the third set, Lehecka managed to win the final four games, saving nine out of 11 break points along the way. He also unleashed 53 winners in the match, causing the day’s sole upset. His next challenge will be against seventh seed Alexander Bublik of Kazakhstan in the quarterfinals.
Bublik also had a successful day on Wednesday, emerging as a 7-6 (8), 7-6 (2) winner against Tallon Griekspoor of the Netherlands. Meanwhile, top-seed Daniil Medvedev of Russia and the second-seeded Andrey Rublev advanced to the next round. Medvedev staged a comeback in his match against Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego, prevailing 3-6, 6-3, 6-3. Rublev, on the other hand, swept past French qualifier Arthur Cazaux with a scoreline of 6-4, 6-4.
In addition to these results, third seed Hubert Hurkacz of Poland, fifth seed Ugo Humbert of France, eighth seed Alejandro Davidovich Fokina of Spain, and Sebastian Korda from the United States all secured victories in their respective matches.
Over at the Movistar Chile Open, Spain’s Pedro Martinez outlasted sixth seed Facundo Diaz Acosta from Argentina in a grueling contest that ended with a 7-6 (4), 6-7 (5), 6-1 scoreline. Martinez dominated the third set to clinch the win after a match lasting 3 hours and 8 minutes. Next up, he will face third-seeded Frenchman Arthur Fils, who overcame Brazil’s Thiago Seyboth Wild with a 6-3, 6-3 victory on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, French qualifier Corentin Moutet secured a notable victory by defeating Thiago Agustin Tirante from Argentina with a scoreline of 6-3, 6-7 (5), 6-2. The top-seed Nicolas Jarry of Chile was scheduled to play against Federico Coria of Argentina later in the evening.
Overall, the day’s matches provided thrilling tennis action across both tournaments, with several top players showcasing their skills and determination on the court.
