June 17, 2025 – Alex De Minaur is favored to defeat Jiri Lehecka in the first round of the cinch Championships at Queen’s Club in London today, marking the start of his 2025 grass-court season. The Aussie, ranked No. 12, faces the No. 30 Czech in a match that promises intensity, with De Minaur’s grass expertise giving him the edge in this Round of 32 clash.
De Minaur’s Grass-Court Pedigree
De Minaur, a 2023 finalist at Queen’s, boasts a 51-23 career record on grass, per Tennis Tonic. His agility and defensive play make him a formidable opponent on the surface, as seen in his 2023 Davis Cup win over Lehecka (4-6, 7-6(2), 7-5). After a clay season that ended with a second-round loss at Roland Garros to Alexander Bublik, De Minaur took a break, skipping ‘s-Hertogenbosch to focus on Wimbledon preparation, according to Nine.com.au. Predictive models like Dimers give him a 69% chance of victory, citing his 32-17 grass record compared to Lehecka’s 7-6.
Lehecka’s Challenge
Lehecka, fresh off a quarterfinal run in Stuttgart where he lost to Ben Shelton, has shown promise on grass, winning 90.3% of his service games this season, per Sportsbook Wire. However, his inconsistency—highlighted by a 60% win rate over the past year versus De Minaur’s 66.67% (Matchstat)—raises doubts. Lehecka’s Brisbane title in January 2025 was a high point, but his 2-1 grass record this year suggests he may struggle against De Minaur’s speed, as noted in posts on X.
Match Dynamics and Fan Sentiment
Scheduled for 12:00 PM on the Andy Murray Arena, the match pits De Minaur’s counterpunching against Lehecka’s baseline power. Betting odds favor De Minaur at $1.44, with Lehecka at $2.75, per Stats Insider. On X, fans lean toward De Minaur, with some calling him a “speed demon” on grass, though others note Lehecka’s potential to make it competitive if he minimizes errors. De Minaur’s ability to extend rallies could exploit Lehecka’s recent erratic form, a sentiment echoed by SportyTrader.
Road to Wimbledon
A strong start at Queen’s is crucial for De Minaur, who aims to improve his Wimbledon seeding after slipping from a career-high No. 6 earlier this year. Lehecka, with a 2024 Wimbledon Round of 16 appearance, seeks consistency.
