Jiri Lehecka will now face Felix Auger-Aliassime - who received a walkover after Jannik Sinner withdrew - in the Madrid Open semi-finals on Friday; you can watch over 80 tournaments a year, including the US Open, exclusively live on Sky Sports Tennis
Thursday 2 May 2024 21:56, UK
Daniil Medvedev is out of the Mutua Madrid Open after having to retire following the opening set of his quarter-final with Jiri Lehecka.
The Russian retired after losing the first set 6-4, sending the 31st-ranked Lehecka into the first ATP Masters 1000 semi-final of his career.
Medvedev needed treatment on his upper right leg while leading 3-2, complaining about having trouble moving to his right. He also needed treatment at 4-3, with Lehecka breaking serve in the ninth game to win the set before Medvedev decided not to continue.
"Tough to say because when I stretch I don't feel, but when I move I basically cannot move," Medvedev told his trainer.
Lehecka won the final three games of the day, made had two aces and won 15 of his 16 first-service points on his way to book a semi-final clash with Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime.
"It's never easy in a match like this," Lehecka said post-match. "If I were to choose the way how to win this match, it wouldn't be like that. Of course, it's never easy to see your opponent struggling, but at that moment, you just need to focus on yourself, trying to get the maximum level out of yourself."
Lehecka, 22, won his first ATP title earlier this season in Adelaide and also defeated Spanish star Rafael Nadal in the previous round of Madrid.
The men's match schedule for Thursday was shorter than usual because No 1 seed Jannik Sinner of Italy had previously withdrawn with a hip injury, allowing Auger-Aliassime to advanced to the semi-finals via walkover.
Russia's Andrey Rublev - the seventh seed and highest-ranked player left in the draw - will play Taylor Fritz in the opening semi-final on Friday, before Auger-Aliassime's clash with Lehecka headlines the evening session.
Britain's Jamie Murray and his doubles partner Michael Venus defeated French duo Fabien Reboul and Sadio Doumbia 0-6 6-4 10-2 to makes the semi-finals in the Spanish capital.
The tournament is trialling a faster men's doubles format, with greater focus on matches between singles players and established doubles teams. Teams are allowed just 15 - rather than the usual 25 - seconds between points after rallies up to three shots, and only 60 seconds to sit down at the change of ends.
In the run-up to the second Grand Slam of 2024 - the French Open at Roland Garros from May 26 - you can watch all of the biggest tennis stars in action live on Sky Sports as they compete across the clay-court season.
Stream Sky Sports live with no contract on a Month or Day membership on NOW. Instant access to live action from the Premier League, EFL, F1, England Cricket, Tennis and so much more.
You can now start receiving messages and alerts for the latest breaking sports news, analysis, in-depth features and videos from our dedicated WhatsApp channel!
Watch the WTA and ATP Tours throughout 2024 on Sky Sports Tennis. Stream Sky Sports Tennis and more with a NOW Sports Month Membership. No contract, cancel anytime.
