Draper heroics produce Queen’s QF place

Jack Draper recovered from 4-2 down in a final-set tiebreaker and polished off a 3-6, 6-2, 7-6 (5) defeat of Alexei Popyrin on Wednesday to reach the Queen’s club quarter-finals for a third time.

The British No. 1 admitted he’s still scratching on the grass after making the change only this week from the spring clay season.

The ATP No. 6 fought back from 4-2 in the tiebreaker, setting up match point with a backhand winner.

The relieved Brit credited a home crowd in east London for seeing him through on the grass. 

“Some days I need extra support – and today was one of them. It was a tough match, all credit to Alexei.

“It was really up and down. With my grandfather watching it was a very emotional moment.for me.

“My form was not exactly hitting its stride in the first couple of sets. It was not pretty at all.

“But I just need time to adjust, I feel better each time I get through one of these matches.”

He added: “This is one more win under the belt and we’ll go agaain in the quarter-finals.”

Draper becomes the fourth Briton to reach three quarter-final places at the event along with Tim Henman (7), Andy Murray (6) and Greg and Rusedski (3). 

Main photo:-Jack Draper hard fought victory at Queens Club – by HSBC Open