Czech star Lehecka marches on at Wimbledon

Thirteenth seed Jiri Lehecka booked his place in the Wimbledon last 16 by beating Spain's Jaume Munar 6-4, 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 in the third round. Across a contest lasting just under three hours, the Czech executed the kind of aggressive game plan that grass rewards almost to perfection, striking 52 winners to define the character of the match from the outset.

The first two sets followed a similar script: comfortable on his own serve, Lehecka converted the single break chance that mattered in each to move ahead 6-4, 6-4. The rhythm shifted for the first time in the third. Munar, renowned as one of the tour's great battlers, seized on a brief dip from his opponent and took the set 6-4 to spark hope. The Spaniard's resistance did not last long, however; Lehecka steadied his game in the fourth, protected the break he earned and crossed the line after two hours and 57 minutes.

The Czech's attacking numbers tell the story neatly: 52 winners to Munar's 29. The world number 44 made his presence felt in the longer rallies but never found a lasting answer to his opponent's first-strike superiority.

A quarterfinalist at the Australian Open earlier in his career and always considered dangerous on grass thanks to his heavy hitting, Lehecka has strengthened his Wimbledon credentials with this win. His last-16 opponent will be the winner of the Alexander Zverev-Marcos Giron clash in the same section of the draw. If the Czech maintains this level, he fully deserves his billing as one of the second week's potential surprise packages.

Match Stats
Score: 6-4, 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 · Duration: 2 hours 57 minutes
Winners: Lehecka 52 – Munar 29 · Unforced errors: Lehecka 38 – Munar 26
Breaks: Lehecka 4/10 – Munar 2/8

Image: Tennis Majors