Alcaraz extends successful streak, Draper into semi-finals at Queen’s

In his first match since successful the French Open in outstanding vogue towards Jannik Sinner, the world quantity two had been compelled to return via a gruelling three-set battle towards Jaume Munar in Thursday’s second spherical.

But Alcaraz was ruthless along with his alternatives towards world quantity 80 Rinderknech because the Spaniard took his solely two break level possibilities for a 7-5, 6-4 win inside 90 minutes on courtroom.

“I thought I was going to feel much worse, but we are tennis players, we have to do whatever we have to do to feel good,” stated Alcaraz after his three-and-a-half-hour battle towards Munar.

“I’m glad that today was one hour and 20 minutes, a bit more like grass.”

Alcaraz, who received the Wimbledon warm-up occasion in 2023, will face both Danish fourth seed Holger Rune or Spain’s Roberto Bautista Agut in Saturday’s semi-finals.

“I’m feeling great, and I’m just happy to play at such a good level today. It was a big challenge today, but I’m happy with the way I played and felt today.”

Jack Draper, who ended Alcaraz’s defence at Queen’s final yr, reached the semi-finals for the primary time and secured a top-four seed at Wimbledon with a tense 6-4, 5-7, 6-4 win over American Brandon Nakashima.

The 23-year-old had twice misplaced within the final eight at Queen’s, however now he’s simply two wins away from becoming a member of Andy Murray as solely the second British champion on the match within the Open space.

Draper will transfer above Novak Djokovic and Taylor Fritz on the planet rankings subsequent week to a career-high of 4.

That means at Wimbledon, which begins on June 30, Draper will keep away from defending champion Alcaraz and world primary Sinner till the semi-finals.

“Last year I went there ranked 40th and now I’m fourth. To get to that position is an incredible feeling,” Draper stated.

“It is testament to the work me and my team have done and I’m proud of that.”

Draper will face Jiri Lehecka within the final 4 on Saturday after the Czech world quantity 30 beat beat British quantity two Jacob Fearnley 7-5, 6-2.

kca-smg/nr/ea

This article was generated from an automatic information company feed with out modifications to textual content.

See Less