Jack Draper Reaches Queen’s Semi-Finals, Guaranteed Wimbledon Fourth Seed

Jack Draper defeated fellow player Brandon Nakashima to advance to the semi-finals of the Queen’s Club championship. This victory is particularly significant as it guarantees him the fourth seed position at Wimbledon.

Becoming the fourth seed is a major milestone for Draper. It means he will avoid potentially facing higher-ranked players like Carlos Alcaraz or Jannik Sinner until the semi-final stage of his home Grand Slam tournament later this month.

This result will also see him climb in the world rankings, surpassing 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic and American Taylor Fritz, moving from sixth to fourth.

In his quarter-final match at Queen`s on Friday, Draper overcame Brandon Nakashima in a hard-fought three-set battle, winning 6-4, 5-7, 6-4.

“I`ve got to get to the semis first,” he remarked with a smile, before adding, “I think it`s a definite huge step for me.”

“I remember last year going in ranked around 30 or 40. To be inside the top four a year later, that`s massive progress, a testament to my team, the dedication I have had for tennis, the work I have put in on a daily basis,” Draper stated.

“You know, I live and breathe the sport, and I`m obsessed with progressing and obsessed with becoming the player that I want to become all the time and achieve the things I want to.”

“It`s another step in the right direction. At Wimbledon, regardless of seeding, each match is very difficult because obviously you`ve got loads of top players in the draw, a bit like this week.”

“But it gives me confidence knowing I`m in that position and I`m going to be in the right place for that,” he concluded.

Recapping the match against Nakashima: Nakashima started with a solid service game, but Draper soon applied pressure, securing an early break in the first set and holding serve to consolidate his lead. Despite Nakashima earning two break points in the sixth game, Draper held firm, closing out the set with an ace.

In the second set, Nakashima`s serve improved, making the contest tighter. He remained composed, earning two set points against Draper`s serve. Draper saved the first, but a long hit on the second gave Nakashima the set, sending the match to a decider.

Draper broke serve in the seventh game of the final set and built on this advantage to establish a clear lead. Serving for the match, Draper fell behind 0-30 but recovered with a powerful ace. Nakashima still pressured, reaching two break points to level. However, a precise forehand from Draper saved the first, and a long return from Nakashima on the next point took them to deuce. Draper then reached match point and finished the rally at the net.

“It means the world to me, the support I`ve received this week has been amazing,” Draper said after the match, becoming the first British semi-finalist at Queen`s since Cameron Norrie in 2021.

“At times I`ve not played great tennis but I`ve tried to believe in myself.”

In other matches, top seed Carlos Alcaraz comfortably progressed to the semi-finals, defeating Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech 7-5, 6-4.

Alcaraz, who had a demanding three-and-a-half-hour match the previous day, commented, “I could feel better but honestly I thought I would be feeling worse than I am right now.”

“But as tennis players we have to do what we have to do and that`s to recover and play the next day. I am glad today was one hour and 20 minutes.”

Fearnley`s Run Ends in Quarter-Finals

Draper will face Jiri Lehecka in the semi-finals. The Czech player ended the run of British hopeful Jacob Fearnley in their quarter-final match.

The British No 2 appeared fatigued and made errors in his 7-5, 6-2 defeat to the Czech world No 30.

Fearnley`s match was scheduled first on the main court, despite him having played a demanding three-setter the day before, followed by a doubles win later that evening.

Lehecka`s victory prevented Fearnley from becoming the first British man since 1977 to reach the Queen`s semi-finals on his debut.

Fearnley struggled with his serve in the first set, hitting eight double faults, including three in each of the games where Lehecka broke him.

Lehecka broke again early in the second set for a 3-2 lead after a close call went against Fearnley. The Czech then quickly finished the match, securing the win in just over an hour.

“Obviously if I`d known I was going to be put on first the day after playing a long match in 32 degrees and playing another doubles match late at night, then I probably wouldn`t have played doubles,” Fearnley commented on the scheduling.

“It`s just difficult to predict those things sometimes. It`s just about being smart about it, really.”

Medvedev Advances to Halle Semi-Finals

Daniil Medvedev overcame a mid-match issue to reach the semi-finals of the Terra Wortmann Open in Germany.

Medvedev took a medical timeout in the second set to deal with a nosebleed during his match against American Alex Michelsen. Despite the interruption, the world No 11 continued to win 6-4, 6-3.

“The shadows on the court made the conditions quite difficult,” said the former world No 3 after the 85-minute match, where Michelsen saved four match points.

“It took some time to get used to it. It was then better in the second set,” Medvedev added.

Medvedev has not lost a set so far in the Halle tournament. He is set to face Alexander Zverev for a spot in the final.

The German favourite secured his place in the last four with a tough 6-4, 7-6 (8-6) win against Italy`s Flavio Cobolli.