Jiri Lehecka, world number 31, defeated Rafa Nadal in straight sets and advanced to the quarterfinals of the Mutua Madrid Open. However, the most important thing is that this was Nadal’s last match at the tournament that he won 5 times in his career.
Czech-mate. ♟️@jirilehecka hands Rafael Nadal a 7-5 6-4 defeat in what was possibly his final #MMOpen pic.twitter.com/s4iZ3T7Oz7
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) April 30, 2024
Even that Lehecka won 2-0 sets, both of the sets were very competitive and the match lasted over 2 hours. The Czech triumphed in the 1st set 7-5 as Jiri broke Rafa’s serve in the last possible moment when the Spaniard was serving to tie the games 6-6 and force a tiebreak.
In the 2nd set, again only 1 break was enough for the Czech to win it as Nadal lost the 1st game in the set when he was serving and failed to return it and lost 6-4.
Jiri will play against world number 4 Daniil Medvedev in the ¼ finals of the tournament in Madrid.
To the rafters forever 🙏@RafaelNadal #MMOPEN pic.twitter.com/rADRFHSsYf
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) April 30, 2024