In a remarkable display of skill and poise, British tennis sensation Jack Draper ousted the defending champion, Carlos Alcaraz, in straight sets at the Queen’s Club Championship.
Draper, who has been on a roll since his victory in Stuttgart last week, faced Alcaraz in a highly anticipated match and emerged victorious with scores of 7-6 and 6-3, booking his spot in the quarterfinals against American Tommy Paul.
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Draper’s rise continues
The 22-year-old Draper continues to capture the attention of the tennis world, riding a wave of success that does not seem to be abating. His recent performance against Alcaraz, a player who had not lost on grass in the previous year, was particularly impressive. Draper’s victory not only demonstrates his growing prowess but also signals his readiness for the upcoming challenges at Wimbledon.
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Alcaraz’s unbroken streak ends
Carlos Alcaraz entered the tournament as the reigning Queen’s Club champion and had an impressive record on grass, having won every match last year including the prestigious Wimbledon title. However, Draper’s exceptional play on Thursday ended Alcaraz’s remarkable winning streak. Despite Alcaraz’s strong performance, Draper’s confidence and strategic play were decisive.
Jack Draper: What. A. Week. ⚡️
The new British No.1 follows his Stuttgart Open title win by beating reigning #Wimbledon champ Carlos Alcaraz at Queen's Club ✨#Wimbledon | @jackdraper0 pic.twitter.com/6nGtXl5OOZ
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) June 20, 2024
A home court advantage
Playing close to his hometown of Sutton, Draper seemed right at home at the Queen’s Club. His powerful service game remained solid throughout the match, although his second serve points won percentage was lower than usual at 48%. Nevertheless, it was Draper’s return game that really stood out, consistently putting pressure on Alcaraz.
The decisive moments
After a tightly contested first set that went to a tie-break, Draper took control, winning the tie-break 7-3. He carried this momentum into the second set, securing a crucial break at 3-2. Alcaraz fought back, saving three match points on his serve to delay defeat and shift pressure back onto Draper. However, with the crowd behind him, Draper showed remarkable poise, winning the final game from 0-30 down to seal a memorable victory.
This win not only advances Draper to the next round but also cements his status as a player to watch at this year’s Wimbledon. His ability to perform under pressure against top-tier competition speaks volumes about his potential to reach the highest echelons of the sport. As Draper continues his journey, the tennis world watches eagerly to see how far this young talent can go.
