Draper rides home spirit to upset Alcaraz

Jack Draper rose to the occasion in the friendly environs of London’s Queen’s Club on Thursday, ending the eight-match win streak of Carlos Alcaraz with a 7-6 (3), 6-3 upset to reach the quarter-finals.

The Brit became the first from his nation to defeat a Top 2 player on grass since Andy Murray slammed No. 1 Novak Djokovic to win 2013 Wimbledon.

Draper, 22, winner on grass last weekend in Stuttgart for the first title of his Tour career, was watched by his family, including his 80-year-old grandfather and a group of school friends.

The No. 31 winner claimed his own seventh straight match win as he ended shut down Alcaraz in one and three-quarter hours.

Alcaraz was defending his Queen’s title and also won Wimbledon last summer.

“I knew it would be difficult to beat the winner here and the Wimbledon champion,” British No. 1 Draper said.

“I had to play really well and get a bit lucky like I did today.”

He added: “I’m having such great British support, I missed the grass season last year with injury, so I was desperate to come back and play here.”

Draper delivered eight aces among his 24 winners and will bid for the semi-final when he plays American Tommy Paul on Friday.

Main photo: Jack Draper celebrates beating Alcaraz by Luke Walker for LTA Tennis