Alcaraz aces a second straight Queen’s title

Spanish powerhouse Carlos Alcaraz backed up his Queen’s club grass title from a year ago, with the world No 2 defeating rising Czech Jiri Lehecka 7-5, 6-7 (5), 6-2 on Sunday to win his fifth trophy of the season.

The top seed now takes the role of title favourite when Wimbledon begins a week from Monday.

Alcaraz won his fifth title of the season with the defeat of Lehecka and kept his win streak alive at 18 straight.

But the former No. 1 said a repeat title in west London was a bit of a surprise to him,

“I came here with only two days of practice and with few expectations. I had hoped to play two or three matches max,

“The goal was to get comfortable on the grass and get used to it as soon as possible.

Alcaraz appeared to be cruising after winning the opening set and fighting from 4-2 down in the second-set tiebreaker.

But an ace from Lehecka gae hindi a 5-4 lead, with the first-time grass finalist levelling the match as he won the second set two points later with a service winner..

The Spaniard said he told himself to keep battling in the third set, a strategy which paid dividends with a break for 3-1 as he regained control.

Alcaraz ran out a 5-2 margin, winning on his first match point.

“Lifting the trophy by playing such good tennis at the end of the week is just amazing,” the winner said.

“(Tough early matches) helped me and by the end of my second match I was feeling great this week. I got used to the grass really quickly.

“I realised what I have to do on the grass and how I have to play. There was nothing else to worry about.”

Alcaraz is already counting down to his Wimbledon start as two-time defending champion on June 30, when he opens play at the All England club as holder.

“I’m super-excited, it will be a beautiful moment” he said of the start of the prestige Grand Slam 

“Winning the title here is the best preparation that I could ask for. I hope to keep the good form I’ve found this week and start Wimbledon in the best way possible.”

Queen’s marked the fifth consecutive final for Alcaraz this season dating to Monte Carlo in early April.

Alcaraz increased his season victories to 42 as he won his 21st career title. Lehecka was the second Czech man to play a Queen’s final after 1989-1990 champion Ivan Lendl. 

Main photo:-Carlos Alcaraz wins Queens Trophy – by LTA/HSBC