On Sunday evening, Jiri Lehecka will attempt to usurp world number two Jannik Sinner in his first-ever Masters 1000 final.
The Czech star has performed superbly throughout the week, becoming the first player since Novak Djokovic at the 2018 Shanghai Masters not to lose a service game on their way to the final.
Lehecka secured his place in the Miami Open final after beating Arthur Fils 6-2, 6-2.
Jannik Sinner, meanwhile, secured his seventh consecutive win against Alexander Zverev in the Miami Open semi-finals.
Will Jannik Sinner overtake Carlos Alcaraz and become world number one? 🤔
If so, when will he do it?
Lehecka is most certainly the underdog heading into Sunday’s final. However, he has been told what he must do to give himself a chance of emerging victorious.
Andrea Petkovic says Jiri Lehecka must come to the net if he wants to beat Jannik Sinner
Speaking on the Tennis Channel, former world number nine Andrea Petkovic discussed what Lehecka can do to trouble Sinner in Sunday’s final.
“Well, I think Prakash you said it yesterday on the desk… I thought that was a very astute observation,” Petkovic began. “I think usually Lehecka has… he has only but one choice, and that is to try and find a way to the net.
“He’s not going to win this match from the baseline, but if he plays like he did yesterday, very aggressively, very front-facing.
“I think this is maybe a little harsh. However, watching having watched Jannik Sinner in the last two weeks, it seems fair.
“The odds seem fair. But then again, who is the last guy he [Sinner] lost to? Jakub Mensik – a Czech man who has a similar style to Lehecka.”
Danielle Collins, the lowest-ranked female champion in Miami, added: “I don’t see many holes in Jannik Sinner’s game.
“I mean, I feel like the odds are pretty fair with how he’s been playing. He’s been the dominant force.”
Petkovic then continued: “I mean, the only thing about Lehecka, I have seen, if somebody changes it up and can play a few lower slices and change the rhythm up, as you see with many Czech players, that can sometimes throw them off.
“The way he’s played in the semi-final was absolutely outstanding.”
Lehecka has struggled against Sinner in the past, losing all four of his previous meetings with the Italian star.
The pair last met in the 2025 French Open third round. Sinner dominated the contest, winning 6-0, 6-1, 6-2.
| Tournament | Winner | Score |
| 2025 Roland Garros | Jannik Sinner | 6-0, 6-1, 6-2 |
| 2024 Beijing | Jannik Sinner | 6-2, 7-6 |
| 2024 Indian Wells | Jannik Sinner | 6-3, 6-3 |
| 2019 Ostrava [qualifying] | Jannik Sinner | 6-4, 6-2 |
Lehecka set for biggest payday of his career
By reaching the Miami Open final, Jiri Lehecka has already secured the greatest payday of his career.
The Czech player is set to earn 650 ATP ranking points and $612,340 in prize money.
If Lehecka stuns Jannik Sinner in the final, he will win $1,151,380 in prize money.
| Round | Points | Prize Money |
| Champion | 1000 | $1,151,380 |
| Finalist | 650 | $612,340 |
| Semi-finalist | 400 | $340,190 |
| Quarter-finalist | 200 | $193,645 |
| Fourth Round | 100 | $105,720 |
| Third Round | 50 | $61,865 |
| Second Round | 30 | $36,110 |
| First Round | 10 | $24,335 |
Lehecka had only reached the semi-finals of a Masters 1000 event once previously: the 2024 Madrid Masters.
In that semi-final, Lehecka was forced to retire after only six games due to injury.
As per Tennis.com, Auger-Aliassime said: “It’s crazy. I don’t know if I’s ever happened to a player before.
“It’s kind of a weird situation to be in on my part. It’s never happened to me in my career so far, a withdrawal or a walkover or retirement of this sort, and back-to-back like this. I
” couldn’t believe what was happening when I saw his back blocked on him.”
