Jack Draper stuns defending champion Carlos Alcaraz at Queen's in famous win for new British No. 1 ahead of Wimbledon

ByJonny Bray

Updated 20/06/2024 at 20:48 GMT

Jack Draper stunned world No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz at Queen's to secure the biggest win of the Brit's young career. Draper had never beaten the Spaniard prior to the straight-sets victory. The duo were neck-and-neck during a closely fought first set, but Draper produced a sublime performance in the tie-break before outclassing his Spanish rival in a dramatic second.

Jack Draper produced the performance of a lifetime to beat world No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz 7-6(3) 6-3 and knock the defending champion out of Queen's.

The duo were neck-and-neck during the opening nine games of the first set.

The world No. 2 had the chance to break Draper in the 10th, but his British rival recovered to keep the set alive.

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With the score tied at 6-6, it went to a tie-break, and that is when Draper came alive.

The British No. 1 took the first set in style, winning the tie-break 7-3 thanks in part to his sublime service game.

Draper lost both of his previous two meetings with Alcaraz, but the Brit held serve to go 2-1 up in the second as his Spanish opponent became increasingly frustrated.

It got even better for Draper, who had the first break point of the match after an hour and 18 minutes.

He made no mistake, producing a superb backhand to go 4-2 up in the second set.

Draper almost let his advantage slip in the next game, but the 22-year-old survived breakpoint to move within touching distance of the win.

Draper had several chances to win the match, but Alcaraz showed his class to keep the contest alive.

However, the Brit held serve to secure the biggest win of his career so far.

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Draper was delighted to secure a memorable victory in front of his grandad, who recently turned 80.

"It was a really tough match, I knew coming out here Carlos is the defending champion here and won Wimbledon last year," he said. "He is an incredible talent and so great for the sport, so I had to come out and play really well.

"Luckily I did, so thank you.

"There is no place I would rather be right now, with my family and friends, the British support has been amazing.

"I want to keep on playing here, I have been desperate to come back.

"I have got my grandad here. He has just turned 80, and he is doing well.

"Thank you."

‘No place I’d rather be’ - Draper thrilled with win over Alcaraz at Queen’s

Draper will now face Tommy Paul in the quarter-finals. The American beat Alejandro Tabilo 6-3 6-4 to see him through to the next round.

Draper and Paul, ranked No. 13 in the world, have faced off four times previously. Draper has won three of their meetings but lost to Paul in four sets when they met in the second round of the Australian Open in January.

British wild card billy Harris clinches huge win

Billy Harris reached his first ATP Tour event quarter-finals after beating French qualifier Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard 6-4 7-5 at London’s Queen’s Club.

Harris, ranked No. 162 in the world, will now face the Italian Lorenzo Musetti, who beat Brandon Nakashima.

Sinner books quarter-final spot and struff upsets Tsitsipas in halle

World No. 1 Jannik Sinner beat a courageous Fabian Marozsan 6-4 6-7(4) 6-3 on Thursday, rallying past the Hungarian to reach the quarter-finals of the Terra Wortmann Open in Halle.

It was another challenge for the Italian, having already fended off an aggressive Tallon Griekspoor in three sets in the previous round.

A key part of Marozsan's success was pressuring Sinner's second serve, and Sinner admitted that he may need to switch up that aspect of his play.

“For sure I need to think about changing it up a little more. I may need to be more aggressive,” Sinner said. “I’ll need to talk to my team about that. He returned very well, especially in the beginning.”

German player Jan-Lennard Struff downed sixth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-4 6-4.

The win sets up a quarter-final clash with Sinner.

“It’s very special. The crowd was supporting me like hell and it was just an amazing feeling, amazing atmosphere,” said Struff.
“It means really a lot to finally take this step.”

Struff made just five unforced errors as he beat the Greek and avenged last month’s loss in Rome.

The 2022 champion Hubert Hurkacz beat Australian James Duckworth 7-6(3) 6-4 to advance to the quarter-finals.

The Pole fired 17 aces and won 39 of 42 first-serve points according to Infosys ATP Stats. He will face the USA's Marcos Giron who, after stunning Andrey Rublev, beat Italian Matteo Berrettini 3-6 6-4 6-3 to claim a quarter-final spot.

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