“The level is very high even outside the Top 5”: Jiri Lehecka leads new wave in Miami semi-finals

Jiri Lehecka’s run to the semi-finals of the Miami Open has unfolded within one of the most open Masters 1000 draws of the season. With top seed Carlos Alcaraz eliminated in the third round, an opportunity opened up for lower-ranked players and the first semi-final will be contested by two players outside the Top 20.

At 24, Lehecka has moved into the latter stages of a Masters 1000 event for the second time in his career, following his breakthrough in Madrid two years ago. Now projected at No. 16 in the Live Rankings, his position reflects steady progression rather than a single standout week, with results across multiple tournaments reinforcing his presence near the top tier.

This Miami campaign has been defined not only by his own level, but by the volatility around him. Early exits from leading names have created opportunities, but Lehecka’s performance has aligned with a wider trend he identifies across the Tour: a narrowing gap between the elite and the chasing group.

“I think this shows that tennis is very strong right now, and all the guys are able to beat the top players,” Lehecka said to ATP Tour. “Of course we don’t see this often, maybe once in many tournaments over the last 52 weeks, that it becomes this extreme, with me being the highest seed in a semi-final or quarter-final.”

“But I think all the matches were played well. There were no injuries in the top half, so it just proves that tennis is in good hands and the level is very high, even outside the Top 5 or Top 10.”

Lehecka’s current position is the result of gradual consolidation rather than abrupt emergence. Since his Madrid semi-final run, where he defeated Rafael Nadal before retiring injured against Felix Auger-Aliassime, the Czech has built a more stable foundation, highlighted by a second ATP title in Brisbane in 2025 and additional finals in Antwerp, Queen’s Club and Brussels.

He now operates within a ranking range that reflects that consistency, but also presents a new challenge: translating Top 20 stability into deeper runs at the biggest events. As he noted, maintaining position is no longer sufficient; progression towards the Top 10 has become the next objective. “I’ve put myself in a position where I know I can stay around the Top 20,” Lehecka said. “From that spot, I felt I needed to put in more work to go further and get closer to the top 10. That became my goal.”

“I think I’m a completely different player since that moment,” he added. “It was one of my first big tournaments where I went far. The match against Rafael Nadal in Madrid was a lifetime experience, but I still felt new in those late stages.”

“Unfortunately, that week is still connected to my back injury. It wasn’t pleasant. I wasn’t even able to walk after that last match where I had to retire, so that was very tough.”

Lehecka’s quarter-final win over Martin Landaluce illustrated the type of match he is increasingly capable of managing. The 7-6(1), 7-5 scoreline required patience rather than control, with the Spaniard dictating large portions of the rallies and forcing the Czech to adapt his approach.

“I must say that I didn’t really feel comfortable in the match at all because Martin was playing very good tennis today,” the 21th seed said. “He was very aggressive and went for every chance he had. I really had to think my way through this match and was waiting for the right moment to break him on the break points.”

“He was unbelievable. He was very aggressive and he played very well. I think it was a great match. He was dictating the pace most of the time, but from my side I was serving pretty well today. That really helped me through the match.”

That ability to navigate discomfort, rather than rely on dominant patterns, reflects a broader shift in his game. Familiarity with opponents and repeated exposure to high-level matches have changed his preparation and expectations heading into key rounds. “The difference now is that all the players know each other well," the 24-year-old Czech player added. "They know what to expect from me, and I know what to expect from them. We can prepare in a different way compared to facing someone new.”

“This is something new for me, but at the same time it’s something I’ve been working toward for a long time. My game is there, and I believe I can go far in tournaments like this.”

Lehecka will face Arthur Fils in the semi-finals, with the Frenchman holding a 2–1 advantage in their head-to-head. In a draw already defined by disruption, the match represents another test of whether the Czech’s consistency can translate into a first Masters 1000 final, and further evidence of the shifting competitive landscape he has outlined.