Jiri Lehecka Stuns Roland Garros with Giant-Killing Upset, Propels Czech Phenom into Grand Slam Spotlight

Czech rising star Jiří Lehečka punched his ticket to the Roland-Garros second round with a clinical 6-4, 6-2, 6-1 dismantling of Australia’s Jordan Thompson on Court 4, needing just 1 hour 47 minutes to advance. DOMINANT ROLAND-GARROS OPENER • 31 winners to only 12 unforced errors underscored the 23-year-old’s aggressive baseline game. • Lehečka broke Thompson five times and faced only one break point himself, converting 5/7 chances while saving the lone threat. • The win marks his first straight-sets victory in Paris and sets up a round-of-64 clash on 29 May with Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, a matchup seen as a litmus test for the Czech’s clay-court credentials. SEASON SNAPSHOT: BRISBANE TITLE TO TOP-30 MAINSTAY Lehečka’s surge began in January, when he lifted his second ATP crown at the Brisbane International before an electric run to the Australian Open fourth round. That 8-0 season start catapulted him to a career-high No. 22 on 24 February 2025. He enters Roland-Garros ranked No. 27 and holding a 16-10 tour-level record. WHY LEHECKA IS TRENDING NOW • Breakthrough potential: bookmakers list him among the most dangerous unseeded floaters after wins this spring over Top-20 names Hubert Hurkacz and Taylor Fritz. • Czech tennis revival: with countryman Tomáš Macháč also in the Top 30, fans are comparing the duo to the golden era of Tomáš Berdych and Radek Štěpánek. • Social buzz: Lehečka’s “French Open vlogs” on Instagram have surpassed 1 million cumulative views in 48 hours, amplifying global search interest. WHAT’S AT STAKE IN PARIS A victory over Davidovich Fokina would likely book a third-round meeting with No. 5 seed Andrey Rublev, offering a marquee platform for Lehečka to crack the Top 20 for the first time. Reaching the second week would earn at least €250,000 in prize money and 180 ranking points. HOW TO WATCH • Czech Republic: ČT Sport and Eurosport 2 (live and on-demand). • United States: Tennis Channel, Peacock streaming. • Worldwide streaming: Roland-Garros official app, Discovery+ in select territories. FAST FACTS Age: 23 | Height: 6’1” (185 cm) | Plays: Right-handed, two-handed backhand 2025 Record: 16-10 | Titles: Brisbane International Career-high ranking: No. 22 (24 Feb 2025) | Current ranking: No. 27 BOTTOM LINE With a booming forehand, fearless mentality and a clay résumé that’s improving by the week, Jiří Lehečka has positioned himself as 2025’s breakout name to watch. If his Roland-Garros momentum continues, expect the Czech to crash the Top 20—and the sport’s global headlines—sooner rather than later.