Jiří Lehečka faces Valentin Vacherot in the final of the tournament in Basel after defeating Jan-Lennard Struff 3:6, 7:5, 6:4 on Saturday.
Lehečka overcomes match point against Struff
The semifinal clash in the Basel indoor hall tested Lehečka through a tense three-set battle. Lehečka had not lost a set prior to the semifinal, but opponent Jan-Lennard Struff—who defeated Novak Djokovic earlier in the tournament—claimed the opening set 3:6.
In the second set, Lehečka trailed 4:5 and faced a match point on his own serve. The critical exchange saw Struff strike a ferocious return deep behind the baseline that whistled directly at Lehečka. The Czech player admitted after the match that he did not know how he avoided the ball, while ATP Tour labeled the moment on social media as a bizarre escape, noting that a touch would have ended the tournament. Lehečka held serve, leveled the score at 5:5, broke Struff immediately after, and served out the set.
Lehečka finished the encounter with 22 aces, sealing the third set 6:4 to advance. ATP Tour’s performance analysis rated his semifinal display 8.1 out of 10, crediting him with 39 winners against 28 unforced errors.
Chasing the Third Career Title Against Valentin Vacherot
Lehečka now advances to his third final of the year. He holds a 2:6 career record in singles finals, having won titles in Adelaide in 2024 and Brisbane in 2025.
Vacherot triumfoval v říjnu 2025 na turnaji Masters v Šanghaji a momentálně figuruje na 31. místě světového žebříčku. Hráči mají vzájemnou bilanci vyrovnanou, přičemž Lehečka vyhrál jejich poslední vzájemný zápas na turnaji v Tokiu 6:4 a 6:2.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Basel Final
When and where is the Basel final taking place?
The match is scheduled for Sunday, November 1, 2026, at 15:30 local time, taking place on the indoor hard courts of the tournament in Basel, Switzerland.
How does this tournament affect Lehečka’s world ranking?
Reaching the final guarantees that Lehečka will return to the top 15 in the ATP world rankings, with further improvement possible if he captures the championship trophy in Basel.
What is Lehečka’s record in previous ATP finals?
Before Sunday’s match against Valentin Vacherot, Lehečka holds a career record of two titles and six losses in tour-level finals, having previously claimed trophies in Adelaide and Brisbane.
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