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! Carlos Alcaraz 2-1 Roberto Bautista Agut*
Phenomenal movement from Alcaraz to always stay on the offensive, storming into a 0-40 lead.
Bautista Agut works it well to reduce the deficit as he tries to spark a comeback - but a wonderful drop shot from Alcaraz sees the Spaniard off and secures the break!
*Carlos Alcaraz 1-1 Roberto Bautista Agut
Bautista Agut looks to put pressure on serving Alcaraz as he fashions an opportunity to draw level, but he botches a finishing volley and gives the top seed daylight.
In the end, a simple hold to 15.
Carlos Alcaraz 0-1 Roberto Bautista Agut*
Tightly fought first game as Alcaraz quickly demonstrates that he is indeed in the mood, firing two wonderful passing shots to take a 15-30 leads.
Bautista Agut responds with a big serve that goes unreturned before the two Spaniards engage in an entertaining rally - Bautista Agut strikes the net cord but Alcaraz is able to get to the net to respond, only to be lobbed and find himself in the retreat. A shot through the legs follows, which does stay in play but is smashed into the corner by Bautista Agut.
Alcaraz fights back to force deuce. Bautista Agut saves two break points, playing really nicely into the corners to eventually hold.
Carlos Alcaraz 0-0 Roberto Bautista Agut*
We’re off and running in our second semi-final!
*denotes server
Here comes our second semi-final!
After a delay, Carlos Alcaraz and Roberto Bautista Agut have taken to the Andy Murray Arena for today’s second semi-final at Queen’s!
Final warm-ups are underway - stay tuned!
Report: Jack Draper’s hopes of home final dashed by big-serving Jiri Lehecka at Queen’s
Jack Draper failed in his bid to be crowned the new British king of Queen's Club after a three-set defeat by Jiri Lehecka in the semi-final.
Lehecka became the first Czech finalist since Ivan Lendl 35 years ago after a 6-4, 4-6, 7-5 victory.
It was a tough loss for Draper on home soil with the British number one angrily smashing his racket and damaging a digital advertising hoarding as the match slipped away.
But it has been a successful week for the 23-year-old, with his run to the last four earning him a top-four seeding at Wimbledon.
Read more:
Jack Draper’s hopes of home final dashed by big-serving Jiri Lehecka at Queen’s
Carlos Alcaraz vs Roberto Bautista Agut delayed by rain
Slight delay ahead of Alcaraz vs Bautista Agut due to what we hope is a passing shower.
It’s not been heavy enough to force the covers out and we’re hearing that the players are likely to hit the court for around 4pm.
Jack Draper loses his head as home final dream ends
Draper was lucky to escape a penalty point for smashing his racket against the advertising board, breaking both in the process.
If nothing else shows just how much he wanted this...
'What a match': Jiri Lehecka books place in Queen's final
“It means a lot, you don’t meet a player like Jack everyday, what a competitor,” Lehecka says, giving his flowers to the British No 1.
He also writes “what a match, battle” on the camera. Oh, it was.
GAME, SET & MATCH! Jack Draper 4-6, 6-4, 5-7 Jiri Lehecka*
With a bloodied knee, Draper responds to an unreturned first serve by capitalising on an imperfect drop shot by Lehecka, forcing an error to go to 15-15.
He then reads the play but gets a backhand all wrong, wildly sending it wide. But the Brit is fighting and keeps the next point alive for Lehecka to commit an unforced error.
At 30-30, the pressure is on the Czech to get over the line. But just like he’s done all tournament, he launches two mammoth serves to no return - AND LEHECKA BOOKS HIS PLACE IN THE FINAL!
No home final for Draper. What a performance by Lehecka.
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