Jiri Lehecka admits his opening win at the US Open wasn’t perfect, but there were positives in his performance.

The 18th seed spent almost three hours on court before defeating Pablo Carreno Busta 6-1, 7-6(5), 4-6, 6-2. A player he lost to in the first round of the French Open earlier this year. Lehecka produced significantly more winners than his opponent (44-17) but also produced 42 unforced errors.

“I needed that revenge,” the Czech said afterwards.

“I think it was a good match. I started quite well. The most important thing for me was the way I reacted after that third set when I didn’t really play well. I played mostly horribly (in the third set), then not well, but that’s tennis.

“I’m very happy with the way I reacted and (how) I came back into the match.”

Lehecka enters New York having a mixed record at Grand Slam events this season. At both the Australian Open and French Open, he lost in the first round. This was the first time he has failed to win a match at consecutive major events since 2022. Then at Wimbledon, he fared better with a run to the last 16 before losing to Alexander Zverev.

The 24-year-old is in New York with his newly appointed coach Frederic Fontang. Fontang is best known for his long-time work with Felix Auger-Aliassime that lasted for a decade.

“It’s still something a little bit new,” said Lehecka.

“We have been working for a month and something, so we are getting used to all the stuff.

“It feels great, the connection is there. The chemistry in the team is always the most important thing and that’s definitely something that I want to have.

“I’m super happy that I have him by my side with the rest of the team.”

Lehecka reached the quarter-finals of the US Open last year before falling to Carlos Alcaraz. He currently has a main draw win-loss record of 7-4 at the event. He has only won more major matches at the Australian Open, which is eight.

“It’s always great to be back in New York City,” he said.

“To play my first match on Grandstand in front of all these incredible fans that are supporting us through every moment of the match is just something that you don’t experience every week and I’m super happy that I got the chance to be here.”