Jack Draper admits to struggles after beating Alexei Popyrin to reach Queen's quarters-finals for third time - 'Wasn't pretty at all'
By Matt Jones
Updated 18/06/2025 at 19:50 GMT+1
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A relieved Jack Draper was far from satisfied with his performance, despite reaching a third quarter-final at Queen's. The British No. 1 was forced to come from a set down as he beat Australian Alexei Popyrin in the second round. After what he described as an "emotional" win in front of his friends and family, the 23-year-old said his performance "wasn't pretty at all" in the first two sets.
Draper battles back from set down to beat Popyrin and reach quarters at Queen’s
Video credit: SNTV
Jack Draper confessed he is still getting used to being back on grass after struggling to a three-set win over Alexei Popyrin in the second round at Queen's.
The British No. 1 was seen puffing his cheeks in a sigh of relief after coming from behind to earn a 3-6 6-2 7-6(5) success.
It means his quest for a first ATP title on home soil continues.
But the second seed, who also reached the last eight in 2024, admitted there are improvements to be made to his game ahead of Wimbledon.
"It was a tough match," he said in his on-court interview. "Credit to Alexei, he played some amazing tennis. It was a bit up and down.
"[It is] a little bit like I'm starting to find my feet on the grass, not exactly in those first couple of sets, to be honest. It wasn't pretty at all.
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"I still think I need some time to adjust to the grass after being on the clay for a while. But I'm feeling better.
"Each time I get through these matches, it's going to give me a lot of confidence. One more under the belt and then we'll go again."
Draper made life hard for himself in the first set, as he wasted four break-point opportunities, two of them in the opening game.
And after failing to gain the upper hand, he was duly broken to love for 5-3 by a delighted Popyrin, who served out the set-clincher shortly afterwards.
The British player was in no mood for an early exit though, and he upped the ante in the second set.
He held to love, 15 and 30 to move into a 3-2 lead, while putting plenty of pressure on his opponent's serve.
And the dam finally burst when Draper broke for the first time in the match to grow his advantage to 4-2.
That was a sign of the second seed's continued improvement throughout the contest, and he levelled at a set apiece by breaking for a second time when Popyrin sent a forehand over the baseline.
Serving first in the third was always going to be an advantage to Draper, yet despite having the momentum, he continued to give his home crowd some heart-in-mouth moments.
He was forced to save a break point in the opening game, doing so with a backhand winner, while he struggled to make an impression against the Australian's serve.
But his own service games had become more comfortable, and having moved 5-4 ahead, the pressure was on Popyrin when serving to stay in the contest.
Draper sniffed blood, setting up two match points with a superb down-the-line forehand as he increased his intensity.
However, Popyrin found some excellent first serves to save them both, making it 5-5 with an ace.
A further hold apiece led to a tie-break to decide the winner, and the British supporters were once again holding their breath when their man found himself 4-2 down.
Draper retrieved the mini-break though, and a brilliant backhand a few moments later set up a third match point.
This time he took it, doing so with an almighty swing, sending down an ace to claim victory.
And after setting up a quarter-final with Brandon Nakashima, the world No. 6 paid tribute to the fans inside the Andy Murray Arena.
"There are days when I need that extra support, today was one of them," he said, paying tribute to the crowd.
"My family's here. My friends are here. I love being at home and playing in front of my family and friends, so it's an emotional moment for me."
Evans edged out in tight contest
There was a potential all-British quarter-final lying in wait for Draper, until Dan Evans was beaten by Nakashima.
The 35-year-old, who has slipped to No. 199 in the world rankings, picked up a superb first round victory over Frances Tiafoe.
That was his first win over a top 20 player in over two years, and hope was high that he could deliver another upset.
However, his 23-year-old opponent, who is the ranked No. 29 in the world, put in a solid display to secure a 7-5 7-6(4) victory.
An even match did not yield a single break point until the final game of the first set, when Evans was frustratingly broken to love.
He lost his serve again early in the second, before breaking straight back to give the British fans hope of another home win.
But Nakashima saved a break point when serving to stay in the set, and eventually took the tie-break 7-4.
"It was definitely not easy out here," the American said in his on-court interview. "He's a very experienced player.
"I feel like my game suits the grass well. I'm really happy to play well when it mattered today.
"It's going to be another tough one for sure [against Draper]. He's playing some of the best tennis right now of his career.
"He's a good friend of mine, so it's going to be a fun match. I'm looking forward to it."
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