Wimbledon: Zverev Beats Lehecka in 4 Sets After Curfew Delay

Zverev outlasts Lehecka in heat to reach first Wimbledon quarter-final

After winning his first Grand Slam at Roland Garros, Zverev is into the Wimbledon last eight where he’ll meet American Taylor Fritz.

Zverev finally reaches Wimbledon quarter-finals with win over Lehecka...

 Alexander Zverev outlasted Jiri Lehecka in the heat to complete his fourth-round win and reach the Wimbledon quarter-finals for the first time.

The German No.2 seed had gone to bed with the match paused the night before, leading two sets to love and 3-3 in the third. Wimbledon’s 11 p.m. curfew stopped play just as he was closing in on a first quarter-final here.

When play resumed, Zverev looked flat and dropped 12 of the first 13 points to lose the third set. He steadied himself to close it out 6-4, 7-5, 3-6, 7-6(6).

Zverev double-faulted on his second match point in the tiebreak, but got over the line when 13th seed Lehecka sent a backhand into the net.

Fritz Awaits in Quarter-Final Clash

  

Zverev’s bid to follow his French Open title with a first Wimbledon crown continues with a big-hitting quarter-final against American Taylor Fritz.

“Can’t believe it’s taken me 12 years to reach my first Wimbledon quarter-final, but I’m really happy and relieved,” Zverev said. “Now I just want to win three more matches.”

The 29-year-old had made the fourth round three times before. With a 140 mph serve and serious baseline power, the German has never looked more at home on grass.

This year feels different for Zverev. With his first Grand Slam title won at the 41st attempt and Wimbledon’s courts baked hard by the sunshine, the German finally looks at ease on grass.

Lehecka was a real challenge, but Zverev was sharp after finally getting on court around 9 p.m. on Monday, and he nearly wrapped it up before the curfew.

The break seemed to wake Lehecka up. He came out flying on Tuesday and took the third set in a rush.

Zverev came back out before the fourth set and quickly found his serve again to keep Lehecka under pressure. He moved ahead early in the tiebreak, but a double fault at 6-5 gave Lehecka a lifeline.

Lehecka couldn’t make the most of it, however. Zverev held firm and set up a Wednesday quarter-final with Fritz - a player he leads 2-1 at Wimbledon, even though the American has the better overall head-to-head.

On what to expect from the match-up, Zverev said: “I ⁠don't think it will be very ⁠entertaining because we both serve ‌140 mph and maybe there won't be many rallies.”