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
BREAK! *Jack Draper 4-6, 6-4, 5-6 Jiri Lehecka
Draper is back in trouble on serve as two shots go long, giving Lehecka a 0-30 lead.
He has to be brave on the next point to thwart the resilient Czech smashing a backhand down the line to finally force an error.
But you just have to applaud Lehecka as a wonderful passing forehand gives him two break points.
And he only needs the one! Another perfectly-placed cross-court backhand beats Draper, who crashes against the advertising board and breaks his racket in the process.
An excellent game by Lehecka, who gets the all important break. He serves for a place in the final.
Jack Draper 4-6, 6-4, 5-5 Jiri Lehecka*
Lehecka has to hold to keep his hopes of a Queen’s final alive.
A thunderous first serve sets the tone, but Draper keeps the next point alive as he sprints onto a volley before unleashing a cross-court passing forehand. Not to be as it lands just out.
Two more wayward shots from Draper allows Lehecka to hold to love. Pressure back on Jack.
*Jack Draper 4-6, 6-4, 5-4 Jiri Lehecka
Palms are beginning to sweat at the Andy Murray Arena as Draper fails to lift a drop shot over the net, before fluffing a volley from short range.
At 15-30, he doesn’t get his first serve in - but a superb second beats Lehecka, evoking a big reaction from the Brit.
Lehecka is nevertheless able to win the next and earn a break point. An overtly tense rally ensues as the Czech continues to go deep, but an unforced error allows Draper to survive and force deuce.
Once again, he has to rely on the strength on his second serve to get over the line and deliver a crucial hold. Nail-biting stuff!
Jack Draper 4-6, 6-4, 4-4 Jiri Lehecka*
After bombing an ace, Lehecka gives Draper an opening after failing to get his first serve in - but the Brit is unable to capitalise in open play, dragging a backhand wide.
Lehecka goes 40-0 up but has a little wobble as he falls foul of a double fault. He makes no mistake with his next serve though and aces to hold to 15.
*Jack Draper 4-6, 6-4, 4-3 Jiri Lehecka
Perfect placement on serve from Draper as he drills one straight down the middle of the line.
Lehecka fights back and fires a nice passing forehand past the Brit to give him something to think about, but Draper stays firm, reading the Czech’s next return to volley at the net.
No real worries and Draper holds.
Jack Draper 4-6, 6-4, 3-3 Jiri Lehecka*
Another strong service game from Lehecka as Draper is unable to return three of his first serves, cruising to a simple hold.
Jack Draper 4-6, 6-4, 3-2 Jiri Lehecka*
Is there a spot of rain in the air? It’s certainly got a bit gloomier at Queen’s but let’s hope not.
Draper doesn’t want to hang about, he’s banging down big serves and powerful groundstrokes and claims another hold to 15.
*Jack Draper 4-6, 6-4, 2-2 Jiri Lehecka
To his credit, Lehecka is hanging in nicely here. Looks under a bit of pressure at 15-15 but knuckles down and completes the relatively simple hold.
Jack Draper 4-6, 6-4, 2-1 Jiri Lehecka*
Draper will want to keep his nose in front in this deciding set, putting the pressure back on his opponent for each service game.
A powerful demonstration of serving does the job here, bullying his way into a 40-0 lead and then top-spinning a forehand winner down the line past a helpless Lehecka.
*Jack Draper 4-6, 6-4, 1-1 Jiri Lehecka
That’s what the doctor ordered for Lehecka. He steadies the ship and races into a 40-0 lead.
Draper wins one point back, then fizzes a stunning passing backhand down the line to give himself a sniff at 30-40 but a well-controlled overhead smash means Lehecka holds for 1-1.
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