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 4-6, 6-4, 1-0 Jiri Lehecka*
Draper has grown into this match and looks like a confident tennis player right now. He’s banging down big serves and holds to 15 with minimal fuss.
Can Lehecka bounce back and recapture that first-set form?
*Jack Draper 4-6, 6-4, 0-0 Jiri Lehecka
Phew! It can be hard to reset after drama like that but both players will need to.
Draper to serve first in this deciding set. A slight advantage?
SET! Jack Draper 4-6, 6-4 Jiri Lehecka - DRAPER WINS THE SECOND SET
Right, what can Draper do here? Wins the first point and the crowd are really getting behind him now. He does likewise on the third point to move 15-30 ahead...
Lehecka then drifts long and Draper has two break points to win the set! Massive massive moments.
AND HE’S DONE IT! Comes into the net, flicks a forehand past Lehecka and he thinks it has gone long but the automated line call system says it clips the line!
JACK DRAPER WINS THE SECOND SET 6-4! We’re heading to a decider at Queen’s
Jack Draper 4-6, 5-4 Jiri Lehecka*
Draper is on cruise control when serving now - completely dominant. He races through the game, winning to love and immediately transfers the pressure back to Lehecka.
*Jack Draper 4-6, 4-4 Jiri Lehecka
Draper is battling hard on the Lehecka serve here and is getting to at least 30 in every game now.
He’s 40-30 down when Lehecka pulls out a 141mph serve – his fastest of the match – to scramble another hold. The Czech would bite your hand off for a tiebreak at the end of this set right now, you feel.
Jack Draper 4-6, 4-3 Jiri Lehecka*
Solid from Draper. Cruises through another service game, winning it to 15.
Things have switched in this set, with all the pressure coming on the Lehecka serve. But the Brit hasn’t quite managed to dig out the all-important break just yet.
*Jack Draper 4-6, 3-3 Jiri Lehecka
Draper has a look at the serve by bringing up 30-30 and then forces deuce when Lehecka goes long. He’s getting more balls back in play now.
A deft serve-volley gives the Czech game point but Draper shows even better net skills to clip a winner with the ball at his feet on the run.
Then suddenly he’s got a break point as he draws a forehand mistake from Lehecka... Gets a second serve... But a punishing cross-court forehand SAVES it for the underdog.
He digs out the next two points and grinds out a hold of serve to make it 3-3. We’re getting to the business end of this second set now.
Jack Draper 4-6, 3-2 Jiri Lehecka*
Lehecka works his way to 30-30 and then constructs and impressive rally to earn himself a break point.
Massive moment in this match and Draper SAVES it off the back of a big serve. A big “come on” from Draper - he knows the importance of winning this game.
But a second break point soon follows as a forehand in the run is just wide... SAVED! Stunning touch from the Brit as he pulls out two drops shots and then flicks a forehand back behind Lehecka as he slips.
The second seed brings up advantage and Draper delivers the hold as Lehecka can’t get a return of serve in. PHEW! And breathe...
*Jack Draper 4-6, 2-2 Jiri Lehecka
Well, well, well. Here we go! Draper plays superbly to build a 0-40 lead and suddenly he has three break points.
Lehecka SAVES the first with clever play before the second is also SAVED when Draper floats a ball narrowly long. He thought it was in!
Third and final chance, Lehecka comes to the net and SAVES the final break point, stretching to pull out the volley winner on the forehand side. Brilliance from the Czech star.
But now another break point as Draper scampers to the net and flicks a backhanded winner down the line. It all came from him finding a way to get a big serve back. But Lehecka SAVES it with a phenomenal ace out wide.
Draper then starts hitting his racket against his shoe in frustration and swearing at himself before Lehecka somehow, someway holds serve. Four break points come and go for the Brit.
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