MIAMI, FL – Jiří Lehečka continued his impressive run at the 2026 Miami Open presented by Itaú on Sunday, defeating American Ethan Quinn 6-3, 7-6 (6) to reach the fourth round. The victory marks the 24-year-old Czech’s first time reaching the round of 16 at a Masters 1000 event, and a significant step forward in what has been a challenging start to the season.
Lehečka, currently ranked 21st in the world, secured his eighth win of the season with a dominant performance against Quinn, who had previously upset former champions Hubert Hurkacz and Casper Ruud en route to the third round. The American’s fairytale run in Miami came to an end against a composed and efficient Lehečka.
First Set Dominance
The opening set saw Lehečka in control from the outset, comfortably holding serve throughout. He created multiple break point opportunities, pushing Quinn on his serve, but the American initially defended well. Quinn saved two break points in the second game, showcasing his resilience. However, Lehečka continued to apply pressure, and finally broke through in the eighth game, capitalizing on a series of unforced errors from Quinn to take a 5-3 lead. He then closed out the set confidently on his own serve.
A Tight Second Set and Decisive Tiebreak
The second set proved to be a much tighter affair. Quinn, buoyed by his previous victories, elevated his game and reduced his error count. Both players held serve comfortably through the first eight games, creating a tense atmosphere on court. Quinn faced two break points at 4-4, but managed to fend them off with some aggressive play and clutch serving.
With neither player able to break serve, the set ultimately went to a tiebreak. Lehečka gained an early mini-break advantage after a lengthy rally, but Quinn quickly responded with a point of his own. The tiebreak remained fiercely contested, with both players trading points. Lehečka earned a match point at 6-5, but Quinn saved it with a powerful second serve. However, Lehečka seized his second opportunity on his own serve, winning the tiebreak 8-6 and securing his place in the fourth round after an hour and a half of play.
Lehečka’s performance was particularly notable given his relatively slow start to the 2026 season. His win-loss record currently stands at 8-5, with quarterfinal appearances in Doha and Dubai providing some positive momentum. This victory over Quinn represents a crucial boost for the Czech player, demonstrating his ability to perform when expectations are high.
A New Milestone in Miami
This marks a significant milestone for Lehečka at the Miami Open. In his fourth appearance at the tournament, he has finally reached the fourth round, surpassing his previous best result. He is now the third Czech man to reach the fourth round in Miami this decade, following in the footsteps of Tomas Machac (2024, 2025) and Jakub Menšík (2025).
Next Up: Taylor Fritz
In the fourth round, Lehečka will face a familiar opponent in Taylor Fritz, the sixth seed and a 2025 semifinalist. The American defeated fellow American Reilly Opelka 6-3, 6-4 in his third-round match. While Lehečka’s head-to-head record against Fritz currently stands at 1-4, he did secure a victory in their most recent encounter last year during qualifying for the Davis Cup in Delray Beach, Florida. This previous win on Florida soil will undoubtedly give Lehečka confidence heading into the match.
The Miami Open continues to deliver exciting matchups, and Lehečka’s journey is one to watch. Elsewhere in the tournament, defending champion Jakub Menšík will compete for a spot in the quarterfinals on Monday, while Karolína Muchová has already secured her place in the fourth round.
Full results from the 2026 ATP Masters 1000 in Miami are available here.
(This article was originally published on Livesport Zprávy.)
Lehečka’s success in Miami is a testament to his growing maturity and ability to perform under pressure. His next match against Fritz promises to be a thrilling contest, and a potential springboard for a deep run in the tournament.
What’s Next: Jiří Lehečka will face Taylor Fritz in the fourth round of the Miami Open. The match is scheduled to take place on [Date and Time to be confirmed – check the official tournament schedule for updates].
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