2024 Madrid Open Men's Semi-Final Match Preview as Felix AUGER-ALIASSIME and Jiri LEHECKA looks for first Masters 1000 final
ATPFriday, 03 May 2024 at 19:23
The second
semifinal at the Madrid Open will feature two unexpected protagonists as Felix
Auger-Aliassime and Jiri Lehecka vie for a spot in the final following physical
problems for Jannik Sinner and Daniil Medvedev.
Auger-Aliassime
is playing in the semifinals of a Masters 1000 for the third time in his
career, although he has never reached the final before, while Lehecka is having
his best Masters campaign by reaching the semifinals for the first time at the
age of 22.
Auger-Aliassime and Lehecka: big surprises in the semifinals
The Canadian had a quiet path,
benefiting from two retirements of opponents along the way. Auger-Aliassime
entered as an unseeded player and secured victories against Yoshito Nishioka,
Adrian Mannarino, Jakub Mensik (retirement of the Czech in the second set), and
Casper Ruud. He didn't even have to take to the court for the quarterfinals
against Sinner, who withdrew from the tournament due to physical discomfort.
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On the
other hand, the 30th seed secured consecutive victories over Hamad Medjedovic,
Thiago Monteiro, and Rafael Nadal, in addition to claiming victory against
Daniil Medvedev in the quarterfinals after the Russian retired at the end of
the first set.
So far,
they have only had one previous encounter back in the 2023 Australian Open.
Lehecka was outside the top 70 and was one of the surprises of the fourth
round, with victories over the 21st seed Borna Coric and the 11th seed Cameron
Norrie along the way. However, he achieved the biggest win of his career
against world No. 6 Auger-Aliassime with a score of 4-6, 6-3, 7-6, 7-6. He
would later fall in the quarterfinals against No. 3 Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Lehecka has reached to two ATP finals so far, but none of them on clay courts.
The good
performances of both players in recent weeks at the Madrid Open have allowed
them to secure significant advances in the rankings. Lehecka has already
guaranteed at least world No. 22, his best historical ranking, while
Auger-Aliassime will return to the top 30 after a few weeks and will
practically be guaranteed a seeding at the French Open.
The winner
of the match will play their first Masters 1000 final against the winner
between Andrey Rublev and Taylor Fritz. Not many people would have predicted
the four surprising semifinalists, in an exciting open draw with the exit of
the main favorites, which will culminate in a new champion in Madrid.
Read also
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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