MIAMI, FL – March 22, 2026 – Jiří Lehečka continued his strong showing at the Miami Open presented by Itaú on Sunday, defeating American Ethan Quinn 6-3, 7-6 (6) to reach the fourth round. The victory marks a career milestone for the 24-year-old Czech, as it’s his first time reaching the round of 16 at a Masters 1000 event. Lehečka’s performance was particularly impressive considering Quinn’s unexpected run through the tournament, which included upsets over former champions.
The match, played under the Florida sunshine, saw Lehečka maintain his serve throughout the first set, consistently putting pressure on Quinn’s service games. Whereas Quinn saved two break points early on, Lehečka ultimately broke through at 4-3, capitalizing on a series of unforced errors from his opponent to take a commanding lead and close out the set 6-3.
The second set proved to be a much tighter affair. Quinn, buoyed by his previous victories against Hubert Hurkacz and Casper Ruud, elevated his game and minimized his errors. Both players held serve comfortably until the late stages, creating a tense atmosphere on court. At 4-4, Quinn faced two break points, but managed to fend off Lehečka’s advances and stay on serve.
the set went to a tiebreak, where Lehečka initially gained a mini-break advantage after a lengthy rally. Though, Quinn quickly responded, leveling the score. The tiebreak remained fiercely contested, with Lehečka eventually securing a 6-5 lead, only to see Quinn fight back. Lehečka then earned a match point on his own serve and converted, winning the tiebreak 8-6 and securing his place in the fourth round after an hour and a half of compelling tennis.
Lehečka’s victory is particularly significant given his relatively modest record of 8-5 for the season prior to Miami. While he had reached the quarterfinals in Doha and Dubai earlier this year, this win over Quinn represents a high point in his 2026 campaign. The American had arrived in Miami on a seven-match winning streak, having claimed a Challenger title in Phoenix and then stunned two former Miami champions in the early rounds.
This result also marks a personal best for Lehečka at the Miami Open. In four appearances at the tournament, this is the first time he has progressed beyond the third round. He is now looking ahead to a challenging fourth-round matchup against a familiar opponent.
Lehečka will face sixth-seeded Taylor Fritz in the next round. While the Czech trails 1-4 in their head-to-head record, he did secure a victory against Fritz last year in the qualifying round of the Davis Cup in Delray Beach, Florida. That previous encounter on American soil could provide a psychological boost for Lehečka as he prepares for their rematch.
The win also adds to a growing trend of Czech success at the Miami Open this decade. Lehečka joins compatriots Tomáš Macháč, who reached the fourth round in both 2024 and 2025, and Jakub Menšík, who achieved the same feat in 2025, as Czech men making deep runs in the tournament.
Elsewhere in the tournament, defending champion Jakub Menšík will be in action on Monday, aiming to continue his title defense. Karolína Muchová has already secured her place in the women’s singles quarterfinals. Fans can discover complete results from the ATP Masters 1000 event in Miami here.
Lehečka’s ability to navigate a tight second set and capitalize on key moments in the tiebreak demonstrates his growing maturity and composure on the court. His clean ball-striking and powerful serve, combined with his temperament under pressure, make him a dangerous opponent for anyone. The Miami Open continues to deliver exciting tennis, and Lehečka’s run is undoubtedly one of the tournament’s most compelling storylines so far.
Next up for Lehečka is his fourth-round clash with Taylor Fritz. The match is scheduled for Monday, and fans will be eager to see if the Czech can continue his impressive form and secure a place in the quarterfinals. Stay tuned to Archysport for continued coverage of the Miami Open.
This article was originally published for Livesport Zprávy.
