Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Jiri Lehecka Prediction: Scintillating Stefanos takes on leaping Lehecka

Professional tennis is one of the busiest scenes in the world and also the one that also brings a lot of prize money. However, Grand Slams stands tall above other tournaments and there are four of them, the French Open, the US Open, Wimbledon, and the Australian Open. These Slams are also a stage where we see young talent emerge and close in on the champions that have lit up the stage for years. One of those rising stars, Jiri Lehecka will take on Stefanos Tsitsipas in the Quarter-Final.

Stefans comes into the affair after an amazing 6-4, 6-4, 3-6, 4-6, 6-3 in a deciding set thriller against Jannik Sinner. Stefanos’ service game was switched on as usual and he pinched out a 107:89 service points edge, having a 71% first serve. However, young Jannik did a fantastic job in terms of the return game, having a 62-47 receiving points advantage. This was the only time where Tsitsipas had to win it in the final set as the rest of the games were wrapped up in straight sets. This is his third-straight Quarter-Finals appearance in Australian Open for him. He has never won a Grand Slam and Semi-Finals stage is his best performance during the Grand Slams.

Jiri enters the picture after defeating Felix Auger-Aliassime 4-6, 6-3, 7-6, 7-6 in the Fourth Round. Lehecka was given all he could handle as Felix nailed 20 Aces. However, Lehecka committed just 33 unforced errors whereas Felix had 45 unforced errors. Both players hit 39 winners and Lehecka ended up with a 95-91 service points edge and a 39-28 receiving points advantage. Jiri had a tough draw and started by beating Borna Coric in straight sets, he had a win over Cameron Norrie, and then this Felix win means he has beaten three seeded players. The 21-year-old has been doing a great job of stacking up wins in what is an unprecedented run.

Stefanos and Jiri have met once only and that was during the Rotterdam Open in 2022 where Tstisipas had to fight a lot and the game went to the final set.

Jiri has become a tough draw these days and that is due to his tendency to read even elite players well and his sound strategies, playing way above his age. Stefanos is an aggressive player and his tactical understanding at this point is matched by only players such as Novak Djokovic or Rafel Nadal. Here, I see his acumen coming in full flow and I see him winning and the game not going past the fourth set.