Stefanos Tsitsipas, the former top-five player from Greece, achieved a significant milestone in his career by defeating 18th-seeded Jiri Lehecka on Friday, advancing to the fourth round of the US Open for the first time. This victory marks a notable moment for Tsitsipas, who has faced challenges in recent years, including injuries and fluctuating performance levels.
The match concluded with Tsitsipas triumphing over Lehecka with a scoreline of 2-6, 6-1, 7-6 (7/3), 6-1. Tsitsipas showcased his serving prowess, firing four times as many aces as his opponent, and he sealed the match with a powerful service winner. The support from the crowd, particularly the Greek-American community in New York, played a crucial role in boosting Tsitsipas's performance. After the match, he expressed his gratitude to the fans, stating, "you carried me through this match."
This victory follows Tsitsipas's first-round upset of rising star Arthur Fils, further solidifying his position in the tournament. Reaching the round of 16 represents Tsitsipas’s best performance in a Grand Slam event in over two years, highlighting his determination to regain form and confidence.
The match's turning point came during the third-set tiebreaker. Tsitsipas served two consecutive aces, while Lehecka struggled with unforced errors, including a double fault. Overall, Tsitsipas recorded 34 winners compared to Lehecka's 22, although both players faced challenges with unforced errors—30 for Tsitsipas and 41 for the Czech player.
After the match, Tsitsipas shared that he was feeling pain-free, a significant improvement after battling back issues that hindered his performance in the 2025 season. "This season might not have been the best that I’ve had, but at least I wake up every single day, I’m happy that I don’t have any pain, and I know I can go practice without any uncertainty of how my body is going to respond," he remarked, reflecting on his journey back to health and competitive form.
At 28 years old, Tsitsipas has been a prominent figure in tennis, previously reaching two Grand Slam finals and establishing himself as a potential successor to legends like Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic. However, his recent struggles have been exacerbated by the emergence of younger talents such as Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, who have dominated the circuit.
In June, Tsitsipas made a significant change in his coaching setup, parting ways with his father, Apostolos Tsitsipas, who had been a constant presence in his career. He is now working with Thomas Perrin and renowned coach Patrick Mouratoglou. Reflecting on this change, Tsitsipas stated, "I don’t know if it is at the right time, but it is happening. In Greece, we have a saying, 'It’s better late than never,' so I go by that." This new chapter in his career may provide the fresh perspective needed to reclaim his spot among the elite in tennis.
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