Lehecka, Bouzkova Give Czech Republic Control Against Germany

Jiri Lehecka equalled the biggest win of his career by Pepperstone ATP Ranking Saturday when he upset World No. 12 Alexander Zverev 6-4, 6-2 to give Team Czech Republic a lead in its tie against Team Germany at the United Cup. Marie Bouzkova later made it 2-0 for her country.

The 21-year-old Lehecka was pumped up throughout the one-hour, 34-minute clash on Ken Rosewall Arena, producing a clean-hitting display to outlast Zverev in the baseline exchanges. The World No. 81 broke four times and looked sharp at the net, consistently moving forward effectively to finish points.

The 2022 Next Gen ATP Finals runner-up Lehecka, who also defeated then-World No. 12 Denis Shapovalov en route to the semi-finals in Rotterdam last season, lost against Taylor Fritz in his opening match of the season earlier this week.

However, he gave his nation the perfect start to its tie against Germany as it looks to bounce back from its Group C tie defeat against Team United States.

Bouzkova earned her first win of the season when she defeated World No. 65 Jule Niemeier 6-2, 7-5 to close out a successful day for the Czech squad.

The result gives the Czech’s women’s No. 1, Petra Kvitova, the opportunity to clinch the tie on Sunday when she faces Laura Siegemund.

The duel between Bouzkova and Niemeier featured two of last year’s surprise Wimbledon quarter-finalists. It was a contrast of styles, pitting Niemeier’s big groundstrokes against Bouzkova’s crafty athleticism. The German had the power edge, but Bouzkova showed why she excels on fast surfaces, as she unwound Niemeier with her mix of spins and angle, drawing out 34 unforced errors.

Niemeier struggled to get into Bouzkova’s service games, but converted her only break point late in the match as the Czech served for the win at 6-2, 5-4, saving two match points along the way. But Bouzkova was unnerved, breaking back immediately and serving out the win after one hour and 49 minutes.