Jack Draper Progresses To Successive Quarter-Finals At Queen’s Club
London’s hometown hero Jack Draper sneaks past the almighty challenge of Alexei Popyrin as he sets up a last-eight encounter for the second year on the bounce in the HSBC Championships at Queen’s Club.
In doing so, the top asset of British tennis claims his highest ever individual tour rank, sitting at No.4 in the world on the horizon of fifth Wimbledon entry.
“I still need some time to adjust to grass” said Draper after commending his opponent, Popyrin, during his Wednesday evening press conference.
“One more under the belt, and I’ll be back on Friday.”
The 23-year-old will face American up-and-comer Brandon Nakashima in Friday’s quarter-final, after the San Diego native held out against Britain’s Dan Evans 7 – 5, 7 – 6 (7 – 4).
*J. Draper 3 – 6, 6 – 2, 6 – 6 (7 – 5) A. Popyrin
17:06
Game, Set, Match, Draper!
An instant classic in Central London!
Jack Draper didn’t have it easy but powered through the explosive challenge of Alexei Popyrin in a match that went down to the thinnest of wires.
An enthralling match from start to finish, without question the game of the tournament so far.
This one will be hard to match.
J. Draper 3 – 6, 6 – 2, 6 – 6 (6 – 5) A. Popyrin*
17:05
Draper Breaks Popyrin!
Huge!
Draper plays the point at his own pace, slowing it down with a nifty slice.
Popyrin is lured into a cross-court shot before Draper strikes his backhand return down the line, past the Aussie.
Draper in front.
Match point, and the serve.
J. Draper 3 – 6, 6 – 2, 6 – 6 (5 – 5) A. Popyrin*
17:04
Queen’s hasn’t seen many games as good as this recently.
Popyrin takes a minute to compose himself before getting back onto the attack.
A rifled serve rattles Draper’s forehand as he forces his return out of bounds.
*J. Draper 3 – 6, 6 – 2, 6 – 6 (5 – 4) A. Popyrin
17:03
Ace.
Talk about a time to do it.
You kind of knew that was going to happen.
*J. Draper 3 – 6, 6 – 2, 6 – 6 (4 – 4) A. Popyrin
17:02
How about it?!
Draper’s got the crowd on their feet.
A monstrous overhand left powers the Brit back on level terms.
J. Draper 3 – 6, 6 – 2, 6 – 6 (3 – 4) A. Popyrin*
17:02
Draper Breaks Popyrin!
He just had to win that point.
Popyrin gets a little bit too confident and pushes his favourite shot deep past Draper.
Something’s in the air.
J. Draper 3 – 6, 6 – 2, 6 – 6 (2 – 4) A. Popyrin*
17:01
Popyrin lures Draper in to the short game, but the Brit fluffs his lines and hits the net.
Icing on the cake?
*J. Draper 3 – 6, 6 – 2, 6 – 6 (2 – 3) A. Popyrin
17:01
Draper answers back in much-needed fashion, as Popyrin can’t land this return over the net.
*J. Draper 3 – 6, 6 – 2, 6 – 6 (1 – 3) A. Popyrin
17:00
Popyrin Breaks Draper!
Gobsmacked expressions echo around the stands in rapid fashion.
The Brits top dog is against the wall here.
All to do.
J. Draper 3 – 6, 6 – 2, 6 – 6 (1 – 2) A. Popyrin*
17:00
Just like before, both players are holding serve.
J. Draper 3 – 6, 6 – 2, 6 – 6 (1 – 1) A. Popyrin*
16:59
The Aussie shows poise.
Game split.
*J. Draper 3 – 6, 6 – 2, 6 – 6 (1 – 0) A. Popyrin
16:59
Tiebreak!
Here we go then.
Draper takes point one on his own serve.
J. Draper 3 – 6, 6 – 2, 6 – 6 A. Popyrin*
16:55
Popyrin serving to stay in the tournament – again.
A mishap, Draper goes in front, crowd holds its breath.
But that’s more like it.
Popyrin back level, then back in control.
A pair of powerful serves sends this one to a tiebreak.
They’re going to have to do it the hard way.
*J. Draper 3 – 6, 6 – 2, 6 – 5 A. Popyrin
16:51
A sluggish first point sends shivers around the court.
Popyrin bangs his racket against his shoes, radiating confidence for the first time since the opening break.
Yet, Draper shows him why he’s fabled so highly this year.
Four on the bounce, Draper in front, one game to go before sudden-death.
J. Draper 3 – 6, 6 – 2, 5 – 5 A. Popyrin*
16:46
My goodness.
Draper flings himself in charge, forcing Popyrin into back to back errors before the scoreboard showed 15-40.
Two match points.
Against all the odds, Popyrin hits fifth gear.
Out of nowhere, the Australian bangs in four successive points.
30-40, deuce, advantage, game.
He just will not go away.
*J. Draper 3 – 6, 6 – 2, 5 – 4 A. Popyrin
16:41
Must-win game for Draper.
Popyrin sees no fear and has nothing to lose, clawing two points back against the Brit.
40-30, crowd as loud as they’ve been all afternoon.
Draper holds without breaking a nerve.
One game away.
J. Draper 3 – 6, 6 – 2, 4 – 4 A. Popyrin*
16:37
A betting man would put the house on a tiebreaker.
Popyrin shows his class and once more goes to his short game, dropping a double-bouncer wide of an outstretched Draper.
Service held.
*J. Draper 3 – 6, 6 – 2, 4 – 3 A. Popyrin
16:34
Fastest game of the match.
Draper makes light work on serve as Popyrin fails to answer in game seven of the third.
A break here wins it.
J. Draper 3 – 6, 6 – 2, 3 – 3 A. Popyrin*
16:32
A beautiful rally lays the groundwork for this game.
Popyrin drops a point early on, closing in too quickly and leaving his outside left vulnerable.
Yet, the Aussie shows no sign of falter, sending this one to three all.
This really has been high-class tennis so far.
*J. Draper 3 – 6, 6 – 2, 3 – 2 A. Popyrin
16:27
Draper double faults, and suddenly the Andy Murray Arena is fused with tension.
However, the British No.1 claws back from 0-30 down, winning three points on the bounce.
Draper gets to his next serve promptly, firing it in before he had a chance to succumb to the pressure.
Close call.
J. Draper 3 – 6, 6 – 2, 2 – 2 A. Popyrin*
16:22
Popyrin has got his mojo back.
In an almost toying fashion, the Australian utilises his finest weapon in the most prolific manner so far.
There’s no sign of either player dropping serve.
*J. Draper 3 – 6, 6 – 2, 2 – 1 A. Popyrin
16:18
Draper, unfazed by the constant stream of sweat tricking down his face, lands three absolute bullets to etch himself in front.
Popyrin replies, but Draper holds on.
J. Draper 3 – 6, 6 – 2, 1 – 1 A. Popyrin*
16:14
What a start contrast to the opening set.
Draper is closing in on almost every return, itching to find an early break in the decider.
Yet, Popyrin stands firm, utilising both the volley and the drop shot in back to back points to revitalise those loud, Australian natives in the stands.
*J. Draper 3 – 6, 6 – 2, 1 – 0 A. Popyrin
16:10
A slightly elongated break between the second and third sets due to Popyrin heading off court for a few minutes.
Maybe this moment was what he needed, as Popyrin marches to 30-40 against the serve.
Break point.
Draper pulls out his best flurry of the game so far, forcing the Aussie wide off serve before calmly batting the ball into what seemed like an acre of open grass.
The Brit holds serve… ouch.
J. Draper 3 – 6, 6 – 2 A. Popyrin*
16:01
Draper Wins Second Set!
A double fault before an unforced error sees Popyrin slip to 0-30.
There’s no sign of Draper slowing down. Another winner gives him a handful of set points.
Boom.
One set each – all square.
Back to back breaks for Draper as he embraces every ounce of momentum.
Onto a decider we go.
*J. Draper 3 – 6, 5 – 2 A. Popyrin
15:56
How quickly emotions can change.
The hometown kid goes on the offensive to the joy of those in attendance.
Despite being pushed to deuce, Draper holds serve, finally emerging into the driving seat.
Popyrin almost looks defeated as he trudges to his towel in despondent fashion.
Draper’s set to lose.
J. Draper 3 – 6, 4 – 2 A. Popyrin*
15:52
Draper Breaks Popyrin!
It was coming.
Draper attacks a wide open gap as Popyrin misjudges one from high up.
Popyrin squares it up, before pushing one just too short and into the net.
Break point… double fault.
Patient, but an inevitable sting.
*J. Draper 3 – 6, 3 – 2 A. Popyrin
15:47
The Brit sure knows how to work the crowd.
Draper’s beginning to get the juices flowing as he imposed an impressive arsenal of flicks and tricks this game.
Popyrin forced onto the back foot for the first real time this afternoon.
Warning signs?
J. Draper 3 – 6, 2 – 2 A. Popyrin*
15:43
Draper comes out menacingly only to record another unforced error, returning Popyrin’s drop shot off court.
Popyrin holds serve with a strong winner, beginning to stamp a shared authority on this set.
All to play for.
*J. Draper 3 – 6, 2 – 1 A. Popyrin
15:40
Draper fires back.
The crowd knows who their man is as Draper begins to dial in.
It feels like a break is coming – to who though, that’s the question.
J. Draper 3 – 6, 1 – 1 A. Popyrin*
15:37
Popyrin answers back by holding serve to love.
Some short, snappy, yet fine tennis on display on this gorgeous Hammersmith afternoon.
*J. Draper 3 – 6, 1 – 0 A. Popyrin
15:34
Set two commences as Draper has it all to do here.
Four serves, four points to the good, back on track.
The crowd are up for this – they’re feeling it’s going all the way.
J. Draper 3 – 6 A. Popyrin*
15:29
Popyrin Wins First Set!
This is a joy to watch.
Popyrin has burst into life amidst the blistering London sun as he charges to 40-0 up.
Three set points in hand, 11-0 over the last 11 points.
In an attempt to walk off in style, Popyrin double faults, coming so close to another vicious ace.
Another double fault…
There’s the set – Popyrin forces Draper inwards onto his forehand, which he misses.
The Australian contingent to the left of the screen are loving it.
*J. Draper 3 – 5 A. Popyrin
15:25
Popyrin Breaks Draper!
Who saw this one coming?
The Australian comes out all guns blazing and startles the Queen’s crowd by winning all four points.
Draper shakes his head in disbelief as Popyrin is suddenly serving for the set.
J. Draper 3 – 4 A. Popyrin*
15:20
Popyrin looking up for this one as he lands another ace.
Draper struggles to rotate onto the front foot.
Popyrin holds serve once more.
*J. Draper 3 – 3 A. Popyrin
15:16
The pair are making light work of this opening set.
Draper lets Popyrin into this one, allowing the Australian to meet him at 30-30.
The Brit holds strong, another hold of serve.
J. Draper 2 – 3 A. Popyrin*
15:12
Serve has dominated this one so far, as Popyrin accelerates to a commanding 40-0 position with three unanswerable first serves.
Draper uses neat footwork to advance onto his forehand, negotiating two points back in his favour.
Popyrin fires the fastest serve of the match in a crucial point, as Draper’s return helplessly ricochets off his side of the net.
*J. Draper 2 – 2 A. Popyrin
15:08
Draper poor misjudgement as Popyrin takes 0-15 lead in game four.
The Brit bounces back with four successive point victories, propelling him back on level terms after a shaky first point.
J. Draper 1 – 2 A. Popyrin*
15:04
Popyrin furious service game surely sets the tone of a close encounter.
Holds his serve to love as Draper fails to score a point in game three.
*J. Draper 1 – 1 A. Popyrin
15:01
As expected, Draper showcases fierce first serve, cruising to a 40-0 lead.
Popyrin answers back with an aggressive backhand.
Draper holds serve in 5 points, one game all.
J. Draper 0 – 1 A. Popyrin*
14:58
Popyrin immediately bursts onto the front foot as Jack Draper drops deep behind the base-line.
Popyrin strikes first before Draper answers back with a fine winner.
Draper moves into an offensive position and forces a Popyrin backhand error.
Popyrin holds serve as Draper fails to execute first break point of the encounter.
J. Draper 0 – 0 A. Popyrin*
14:54
Match begins, the Australian is set to serve first.
Players Walk Out At The Andy Murray Arena
14:48
Here come Draper and Popyrin as the pair head onto centre court at Queen’s.
Match set to start five minutes later than expected.
* indicates server of that game.
Jack Draper Pre-Match Quotes
“It’s tricky coming onto the grass after clay, to adapt, I’m hitting the ball a bit late not on time.
“I’m excited to see how I can get on this week, I feel excited I feel ready and I want to do my best.”
Alexei Popyrin
Alexei Popyrin heads into the lions den against the home favourite following a challenging three-set affair, which included two tiebreakers, against fellow Australian Aleksandar Vukic.
Here Popyrin exploded on serve, hitting 19 aces and ranking up a staggering 81% win percentage on his first serve, a weapon he’ll be sure to utilise against Draper.
The 25-year-old Australian has struggled to piece together some form this year, boasting a lacklustre ATP best of quarter-final losses to Cam Norrie and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, as well as a round of 16 exit at Roland Garros to American Tommy Paul.
Currently ranked No.21 in the world, Popyrin will be hoping to rectify these defeats by stringing together a solid grass-court season in Europe over the next few weeks.
Jack Draper (2)
After breezing past young American Jenson Brooksby 6-3, 6-1, second seeded Jack Draper heads back onto the Andy Murray Arena for a round of 16 tie and second ever meeting with Alexei Popyrin.
The pair first crossed paths earlier on in 2025 in Doha, where after coming out on top in the round of 32, Draper made it all the way to the final, narrowly missing out on his fourth tour title after a deciding set loss to Andrey Rublev.
After beating reigning French Open and Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz at this stage in last year’s event, Draper will be looking to copy suit and progress to his third quarter final in his fourth visit to Queen’s.
A win here also elevates Draper in the World Rankings, moving up from No.5 to No.4, just two weeks before the Championships begin at Wimbledon.
Umpire – Adel Nour (Egypt)
Location – Andy Murray Arena, Queen’s Club, London
Start Time – 14:50
Date – Wednesday 18th June 2025
The post Live: Jack Draper vs Alexei Popyrin – HSBC Championships Round of 16, Queen’s Club appeared first on Sports Gazette.