NEW YORK :Jiri Lehecka credited a life-changing moment in a hospital during injury rehabilitation for helping him reach his second Grand Slam quarter-final at the U.S. Open on Sunday with a more mature mindset.

The Czech 20th seed will face Carlos Alcaraz on Tuesday after defeating Adrian Mannarino 7-6(4) 6-4 2-6 6-2, setting up a rematch with a player he has beaten earlier this year in the last eight at Doha.

"Of course, he's one of the two biggest challenges right now in tennis," Lehecka said of the five-times major winner. "We've never played each other on a Grand Slam stage."

But it was Lehecka's reflection on personal growth that provided the most compelling insight into his development since reaching his first major quarter-final at the 2023 Australian Open.

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