LONDON — Carlos Alcaraz confirmed he would be the man to beat at Wimbledon once more after defeating Jiri Lehecka within the ultimate at Queen’s Membership on Sunday.
The highest-seeded Spaniard replicated his debut triumph on the grass courts of west London in 2023 with a 7-5, 6-7 (5), 6-2 victory.
It was an 18th straight match win for Alcaraz — in his fifth consecutive ultimate — following his title successes in Rome and on the French Open.
Lehecka had knocked out house hope Jack Draper on Saturday to develop into the primary Czech finalist since Ivan Lendl received the title in 1990.
The 23-year-old Lehecka performed his half in a high-quality ultimate with some big serves and highly effective floor strokes, forcing the match to a decider by way of a tiebreaker.
However Alcaraz, the defending Wimbledon champion, didn’t face a single break level and slammed down 18 aces on his solution to a twenty first profession title, and second at Queen’s.
Alcaraz lifted the trophy simply two weeks after his epic five-set victory over Jannik Sinner at Roland-Garros.
The 22-year-old made the tight turnaround from clay to grass look easy, despite the fact that he took outing for a vacation in Ibiza earlier than heading to London.
“It’s actually sophisticated, the swap from clay to grass in simply few days, as a result of that’s the time I had earlier than the event started,” Alcaraz stated. “Simply two days of practising after which I needed to compete right here. So I got here right here with no expectations in any respect.
“I simply got here right here with a purpose to play two, three matches, attempt to really feel nice on grass shifting, and, you understand, give myself the suggestions of what I’ve to enhance, what I’ve to do higher.
“So what I’m extra proud about this week is the best way that I’ve been enhancing daily. You recognize, for the reason that first day till at this time, I feel I’m a unique participant on grass. I simply bought used to it actually fast.”
Wimbledon begins June 30.
