Alcaraz overcomes Czech opponent 7-5, 6-7 (5) 6-2 in final

Spaniard stretches his unbeaten run to 18 matches

Carlos Alcaraz was initially not quite ready for the moment when he moved within touching distance of another Queen’s title. In the final stages of a bruising second set tiebreak, the score level at 5-5, Alcaraz threw in a double fault against a soaring Jiri Lehecka. He soon found himself battling in a final set he would have rather not contested.

Alcaraz handled this moment of adversity with the same self-assurance and courage he has shown so many times before while demonstrating his growing maturity as he refocused to close out the in-form Czech Lehecka 7-5, 6-7 (5) 6-2 and triumph at Queen’s for the second time in his career.

With his third title in a row following victories at the Italian Open and Roland Garros, Alcaraz has now extended his career-best winning streak to 18 matches. A two-time defending champion at Wimbledon, Alcaraz’s march through the draw has provided him with the perfect preparation for greater challenges ahead. He will head to the All England Club as the clear favourite as he tries to become the fifth man in the Open Era to win three singles titles in a row.