Lehecka launches sharp Brussels redemption
Amid the BNP Paribas Fortis European Open’s shift to Brussels, third seed Jiri Lehecka turns last year’s final heartache into a precise 6-3, 6-2 takedown of surging Belgian teen Gilles Arnaud Bailly, fueling his indoor hard-court charge.
The BNP Paribas Fortis European Open has traded Antwerp’s grit for Brussels' buzz in 2025, but the indoor hard courts still summon Jiri Lehecka with a score to settle. As the third seed and runner-up from last year, he sliced through his opener on Wednesday, overwhelming Gilles Arnaud Bailly 6-3, 6-2 to claim a quarterfinal berth. The Czech racked up 11 aces in the process, pushing his hard-court wins to 27 this season—the fifth-most on the ATP Tour—and signaling a player primed for deeper runs.
Harnessing serve to seize control
Lehecka leaned on his booming delivery early, firing aces that hugged the lines and forced Bailly into futile stretches, setting up one–two combinations where a wide serve opened the court for inside-out forehands. The 18-year-old Belgian, riding high after his first ATP Tour victory over Daniel Altmaier the day before—which vaulted him five spots to 10th in the PIF ATP Live Race To Jeddah—fought with underspin slices to slow the tempo, but couldn’t disrupt the World No. 17’s rhythm. At just one ranking spot shy of his career-high 16, Lehecka now boasts a 5-1 mark at this Belgian ATP 250 event, his baseline depth turning potential rallies into quick points under the arena’s focused lights.
“Last year, this tournament was a good success for me,” Lehecka said, drawing from that near-triumph to fuel his current form. “I’m very happy to be here in front of the Belgian fans and I’m happy with my performance today.”
Last year, this tournament was a good success for me. I’m very happy to be here in front of the Belgian fans and I’m happy with my performance today.
WRLD CLASS
No.3 seed @jirilehecka impresses in a 6-3 6-2 victory over [Q] Bailly @BNPPFEUOpen | #BNPPFEuropeanOpen pic.twitter.com/fJEaJi6QgS— ATP Tour (@atptour) October 15, 2025
Qualifier grit fuels underdog fire
While Lehecka builds momentum, qualifiers Yannick Hanfmann and Nikoloz Basilashvili—tied with Ethan Quinn for eight successful main-draw entries this season—carved paths forward on Wednesday. Hanfmann rallied from a set deficit to outlast Matteo Arnaldi 6-7(4), 6-4, 6-4, his steady returns earning a tough test against top seed Lorenzo Musetti, whose slice backhand might exploit any overhit groundstrokes on these swift surfaces. Basilashvili, blending flat drives with occasional net rushes, dismissed Quentin Halys 6-4, 6-4, showcasing the veteran poise that keeps him competitive amid the tour’s churn.
Next gen clashes loom large
Damir Dzumhur grinded past #NextGenATP wildcard Federico Cina 6-7(5), 6-2, 7-6(3), positioning himself for a showdown with second seed Felix Auger-Aliassime, where the Canadian’s explosive returns could pressure the Bosnian’s second serve. The 18-year-old Cina holds 14th in the PIF ATP Live Race To Jeddah, nursing a faint hope for a debut at the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF in December, his tiebreak tenacity echoing the event’s blend of youth and resolve. Lehecka, into his seventh tour-level quarterfinal this year, awaits Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi, who surged past countryman Valentin Royer 7-6(3), 4-6, 6-1 in a three-set battle of endurance; here, the Czech’s crosscourt angles and down-the-line finishes will probe for openings, as Brussels’ crowd pulses with anticipation for matches that could redefine season-end trajectories.
