Carlos Alcaraz vs Roberto Bautista Agut live: Queen’s tennis scores and results after Draper crashes out
Top seed Carlos Alcaraz fought past Roberto Bautista Agut to book his place in the final after Jack Draper crashed out to Jiri Lehecka
Jack Draper‘s dreams of a home final came to an end at the hands of fellow rising star Jiri Lehecka as the big-serving Czech stormed to victory semi-final victory at Queen’s Club.
Lehecka became the first Czech finalist since Ivan Lendl 35 years ago after a 6-4, 4-6, 7-5 victory, a tough loss for Draper on home soil as he angrily smashed his racket, damaging a digital advertising hoarding as the match slipped away.
It was nevertheless a successful tournament for the British No 1, whose run to the last four guaranteed him a top four seeding at Wimbledon, meaning he’ll avoid playing big guns Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner until at least the semi-finals at SW19.
Talking of Alcaraz, the Queen’s top seed booked his place in the final at Queen’s as he dispatched compatriot Roberto Bautista Agut 6-4, 6-4 in the second semi-final of the day.
Follow the action from Queen’s Club with The Independent
Jack Draper 1-2 Jiri Lehecka*
After winning the opening point, Draper is again kept off-balance by his opponent and a thumping, flat forehand winner from Lehecka brings up 30-30 once more.
But that’s a good response. Big unreturned serve to bring up game point before Draper seals the hold with a clean backhand winner. Better from the Brit.
*Jack Draper 0-2 Jiri Lehecka
This suddenly feels like a really important service game for Draper. He needs to settle into this match and if he is broken for a second time, this set could very quickly run away from him.
Opens up with an ace, which is positive
*Jack Draper 0-2 Jiri Lehecka
Lehecka has played sublimely this week, beating fifth seed Alex De Minaur in his first match and then floating through the rounds to this stage.
A clever body serve kicks him off in game two and he always looks in control from there, eventually sealing the hold to 15 with a two-handed backhand winner down the line. Impressive start
Jack Draper 0-1 Jiri Lehecka* - LEHECKA BREAKS
We’re underway at Queen’s. Draper will serve first in this one and despite a couple of big early serves getting points on the board, a pair of mistakes allow Lehecka an early look at 30-30.
Draper then sends a forehand long and Lehecka has a break point in the very first game of the match.
And that’s the worst possible way to lose it. Draper fires in a double fault as his second serve is long and Lehecka has a break of serve immediately to lead 1-0
Draper vs Lehecka head to head
Right, our attention is turning to Jack Draper against Jiri Lehecka first up. They’re just coming out on court to warm up now.
Both men are 23 years old so there’s not a huge amount of head to head action to consider but they have played on three occasions.
Draper leads 2-1 having beaten him in three sets at the Qatar Open earlier this year and in straight sets at the Paris Masters last year, although Lehecka won their first encounter in a final-set decider of the Adelaide International in January 2024.
Sun shining down on Queen's
It’s been a glorious week of weather at Queen’s and today is set to be even more of a scorcher. Hats, water and suncream at the ready!
Carlos Alcaraz reflects on reaching the semi-finals
Alcaraz beat Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech 7-5, 6-4 in his quarter-final yesterday and was suitably pleased after the event.
A smiling Alcaraz said, “I am feeling much better than the first day. It's just what I am trying to do after everyday is just feel better.
“I am feeling great playing on grass. I am really happy to play at such a good level today. It was tough playing on the grass today but I am really happy with the way I have played today.”
Asked about the recovery time from his three-and-a-half-hour marathon match against Jaume Munar the day before, he said: “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.
“I am just happy and hopefully tomorrow I am going to feel much better.”
Jacob Fearnley knocked out of Queen’s quarter-finals by Jiri Lehecka
Jacob Fearnley’s Queen’s Club run was halted in the quarter-finals in straight sets by Jiri Lehecka.
The British number two looked heavy-legged in an error-strewn 7-5 6-2 defeat to the Czech world number 30.
Fearnley was scheduled to play the opening match on the Andy Murray Arena despite a gruelling three-setter against Corentin Moutet the day before, followed by a win in the doubles – alongside Cameron Norrie – against Lehecka and Taylor Fritz.
Lehecka got revenge for that defeat by preventing Fearnley from becoming the first British man to reach the semi-finals on his Queen’s Club debut in 48 years.
Jacob Fearnley knocked out of Queen’s quarter-finals by Jiri Lehecka
Jack Draper taking nothing for granted despite ‘huge step’ into top four
Jack Draper admitted climbing into the world’s top four was a “huge step” but insisted it means no guarantees of success at Wimbledon.
“I’ve got to get to the semis first,” he smiled, 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 one year around, 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.
“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.”
Jack Draper taking nothing for granted despite ‘huge step’ into top four
Jack Draper seals huge Wimbledon boost after Queen’s quarter-final victory
On one level, it is mission accomplished for Jack Draper at Queen’s Club this week. Of course, there is still a tournament to win, a prestigious tournament at that, especially for a British player. Rather tantalisingly, Draper remains on a final collision course with world No 2 Carlos Alcaraz. What a showdown that would be.
But around these parts, there is always one eye firmly set on the big grass court dance, five miles south, in 10 days’ time.
The surprise first-round exit of current world No 4 Taylor Fritz this week, and the non-activity of No 5 Novak Djokovic, handed No 6 Draper a golden opportunity to seal a top-four seeding for Wimbledon. With that comes an easier quarter-final at SW19 – by ranking, avoiding the likes of Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner until the semis – should he get there.
Read Kieran Jackson’s full piece from Queen’s Club yesterday:
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