PROSTEJOV, September 10, 2020

Teenager Jiri Lehecka has advanced to the semi-final of the Moneta Czech Open in Prostejov, his first on the ATP Challenger Tour. The 18-year-old from the Czech Republic cruised past qualifier Filip Horansky of Slovakia 6-1, 6-1 in Thursday’s quarterfinal.

Lehecka, who entered the main draw of the €132,280 clay-court event with a wild card, defeated Portuguese qualifier Frederico Ferreira Silva and Serbia’s Nikola Milojevic in the previous two rounds. In his match against Horansky, the World No. 562 saved both break points he faced and capitalized on five of his six own break point chances to seal victory in only 46 minutes.

“I served well. After the first set, I tried not to think that the match was moving so fast. I focused on each ball, which worked out pretty well,” said Lehecka, who had problems with his forehand after his second-round match. “Physiotherapist Petr Sedláček did a great job and I was 100 per cent ready for the match today.”

Lehecka will next challenge No. 6 seed Kamil Majchrzak. The 24-year-old from Poland eased past Aleksandar Vukic of Australia 6-4, 6-1 in 66 minutes.

Semis are set in Prostejov!

🇵🇱 Majchrzak vs. 🇨🇿 Lehecka
🇪🇸 Andujar vs. 🇮🇹 Travaglia

First #ATPChallenger SF for 18-year-old Jiri Lehecka. pic.twitter.com/0MGaUUZlT9

— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) September 10, 2020

Later in the day, top seed and defending champion Pablo Andujar booked his spot in the stage of the final four. The World No. 56 won 56 per cent of the total points played in his encounter against Jozef Kovalik of Slovakia. Andujar prevailed 6-2, 7-6(3) after one hour and 54 minutes.

“I started very aggressively and tried to play a solid match but in the end it was a big battle We both played very well,” said Andujar. “I could have finished the match earlier, but Jozef started to play harder and went for each ball. I am very happy to have closed it out in the tie-break and to reach the semis, because winning a match is never easy.”

The Cuenca native will next take on No. 3 seed Stefano Travaglia of Italy. The 28-year-old had to go the distance against Martin Klizan from Slovakia, winning 3-6, 6-2, 6-1. Travaglia fired eight aces and won 67 per cent of his first-service points to advance after two hours and five minutes.