Match Report
Lehecka reaches second Masters 1000 SF, ends Landaluce’s Miami run
Czech will face Fils or Paul in SFs
March 25, 2026
Getty Images
Jiri Lehecka celebrates reaching his second ATP Masters 1000 semi-final.
By Sam Jacot
Jiri Lehecka reached his second ATP Masters 1000 semi-final on Wednesday at the Miami Open presented by Itau, where he ended the fairytale run of 20-year-old Spanish qualifier Martin Landaluce with a 7-6(1), 7-5 win.
Landaluce was the lowest-ranked quarter-finalist at the event since World No. 185 Jim Grabb in 1994 and was also the first player born in 2006 or later to advance to the last eight at a Masters 1000 tournament.
However, the 20-year-old was unable to break more ground and find a way past Lehecka, who found his best level in the closing stages of each set to triumph after two hours and two minutes on Stadium Court in Miami.
“Today was super tough,” Lehecka said. “It is never easy to play against an opponent who has nothing to lose. He played incredibly. He played some unbelievable shots in crucial moments. Every time I had a break point he went for it and deserved those points. It was tough for me to handle. We both started to play very well and I was looking for the chance on the return, which finally came in the last game of the match.”
In the pair’s first Lexus ATP Head2Head meeting, the 24-year-old Czech Lehecka conjured up 10 break points to Landaluce’s one, with the pressure finally telling in the 12th game of the second set.
“Every match at Masters 1000 level is great and I am very proud of myself being able to fight through these past couple of days,” said Lehecka, who overcame Top 10 star Taylor Fritz in the fourth round. “These are good, tough wins and I will do whatever I can do to prepare for the next round.”
Lehecka reached the semi-finals at the Masters 1000 event in Madrid in 2024 but was forced to retire at 3-3 in the first set against Felix Auger-Aliassime due to a back injury. The two-time tour-level titlist will meet Tommy Paul or Arthur Fils in his second semi-final at this level on Friday.
Lehecka, who had not advanced beyond the quarters at an event this year prior to Miami, is up six spots to No. 16 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings, matching his career high from last year.
Landaluce is up 48 places to No. 103 following his dream run. The Spanish qualifier, who competed at the Next Gen ATP Finals in December, beat three Top 50 players en route to the last eight in Miami.
