Qatar Open 2023: Andy Murray vs Jiri Lehecka preview, head-to-head, prediction, odds and pick
Match Details
Fixture: (WC) Andy Murray vs Jiri Lehecka
Date: February 24, 2023
Tournament: Qatar ExxonMobil Open
Round: Semifinals
Venue: Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex, Doha
Category: ATP 250
Surface: Outdoor Hardcourt
Match timing: Not before 5.30 pm local time, 2.30 pm GMT, 9.30 am EST, 8 pm IST
Prize money: $1,377,025
Live telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Amazon Prime Video
Andy Murray vs Jiri Lehecka preview
Two-time champion Andy Murray faces rising star Jiri Lehecka on Friday for a spot in the final of the Qatar Open 2023.
The three-time Grand Slam champion continues to turn back the clock with his staunch determination and fighting spirit. Murray's five-set wins over Matteo Berrettini and Thanasi Kokkinakis at the Australian Open showed that the former World No. 1 still has enough in the tank to contend with younger players.
The 35-year-old has been showing that same belief and resilience this week in Doha. Having won the title in 2008 and 2009 and finished as the runner-up in 2007 and 2017, the Brit is very familiar with the conditions in the Qatari capital.
The wildcard entrant has used his past experience well to make it into the last four in Doha. Murray's never-say-die attitude once again stood out, as he fought his way past Lorenzo Sonego, Alexander Zverev and Alexandre Muller in three-set battles to reach his first ATP semifinal since June' 22.
Meanwhile, Lehecka, all of 21, has been making rapid strides on the tour in the last few months. The Czech reached the semifinals at Rotterdam last year on his ATP tour debut. He ended the 2022 season on a high by reaching the Next Gen ATP Finals final.
The youngster has brought that momentum into the new season to make a stunning start to 2023. At the Australian Open, he scalped the likes of Borna Coric, Cameron Norrie and Felix Auger-Aliassime to make his maiden appearance in a Major quarterfinal. The win over Auger-Aliassime was his first over a top-ten player.
He has now built on that impressive run this week in Doha. The World No. 52 beat Damir Dzhumhur and Emil Ruusuvuori to set up a quarterfinal showdown with top seed and World No. 5 Andrey Rublev. The fearless youngster then knocked out the Russian 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 to earn his first top-five win.
Andy Murray vs Jiri Lehecka head-to-head
Murray and Lehecka are tied at a 0-0 deadlock in their head-to-head, having never squared off on tour before.
Andy Murray vs Jiri Lehecka odds
(Odds sourced from oddschecker.com)
Andy Murray vs Jiri Lehecka prediction
This will be an interesting generational clash between youth and experience. Lehecka is growing from strength to strength with each match.
His performance against former champion Rublev was one for the ages. His excellent timing of the ball and devastating flat forehands took the match away from the Russian. The Czech is self-admittedly mentally stronger now, which is getting reflected in his recent wins.
All these qualities will come in handy as he faces one of the legends of the game. Against a returner of Murray's caliber, Lehecka will need to serve well and continue to hit the ball cleanly.
Nevertheless, Andy Murray has already been on the court this week for more than seven and a half hours. It remains to be seen how much energy he still has left to hang in there with a player 14 years his junior. The Brit will resort to mixing it up with the occasional lob and dropshot, as well as forays into the net to interrupt the youngster's rhythm.
However, given how fast Lehecka has been improving, he might just have the answers to everything Murray throws at him.
Pick: Jiri Lehecka to win in three sets.