UTS stars take over: Machac and Lehecka Sweep ATP titles in Saturday showcase
Saturday night proved to be a day to celebrate for the UTS roster as two of its most promising stars, Tomas Machac and Jiri Lehecka, captured ATP 250 titles on the same day. As the tennis world looks toward the first Grand Slam of the season in Melbourne, the Czech duo has sent a resounding message to the rest of the tour.
In Adelaide, Tomas Machac, known to UTS fans as The Air Machete, displayed the same relentless aggression that led him to the UTS Guadalajara title in February 2025. Facing a dangerous Ugo Humbert in the final – another of our players –, Machac overcame a second-set tiebreak setback to dominate the decider, finishing with a 6-4, 6-7(2), 6-2 victory.
The win marks Machac’s second official ATP singles title, adding to his Acapulco 2025 trophy. After the match, a jubilant Machac reflected on his week of dominance. “I was very happy with the performance what I was playing the whole week, he said. I think the level of the tennis was pretty high. I am so glad that I could hold it all the week.”
Machac’s resurgence
Machac’s resurgence is one of the most compelling stories of the new season. After reaching a career-high of world number 20 in March 2025, he experienced a slight dip in the rankings, entering this week at number 35. With this title, he is projected to return to the top 30, securing a crucial seeded position for the Australian Open.
His ability to maintain his focus in the final set was the deciding factor. I had to put a lot of better emotions out there the second set to my team, Machac admitted. I just keep the focus in the third set. I manage to keep the level of the tennis pretty high from the beginning of the third set, so that was great key in the game. I just started to play even a little bit more aggressive.
Meanwhile, in Auckland, Jiri Lehecka was busy scripting his own fairytale. The Czech number one, who also competed alongside Machac at UTS Guadalajara last year, captured his second career ATP title.
Lehecka’s victory cements his status as a top-tier threat on hard courts. Currently ranked number 19, this title is expected to push him back toward his career-high of number 16. For Lehecka, the win is a validation of the explosive game style that has made him a fan favorite in the UTS format.
The connection to UTS Guadalajara 2025 cannot be overlooked. It was in Mexico that Machac truly introduced his Air Machete persona to the world, winning the tournament on his debut.
