Latest news with #LTA
North Wales Chronicle
30 minutes ago
- Sport
- North Wales Chronicle
Jack Draper taking nothing for granted despite ‘huge step' into top four
Draper ensured he will be the fourth seed at SW19 after reaching the semi-finals at Queen's Club for the first time. The British number one battled past American Brandon Nakashima 6-4 5-7 6-4 on the Andy Murray Arena. Draper is now two wins away from becoming only the second home men's singles winner in the Open era – after the man in whose honour the court is named. YEEESSSS!! @jackdraper0 is a semi-finalist at the #HSBCChampionships for the first time ❤️🔥#BackTheBrits 🇬🇧 | @QueensTennis — LTA (@the_LTA) June 20, 2025 But more importantly, Draper has moved above Novak Djokovic and Taylor Fritz in the world rankings to a career-high of four. That means at Wimbledon, the 23-year-old can avoid Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, the world numbers one and two respectively, until the semi-finals. 'I've got to get to the semis first,' he smiled, before adding: 'I think it's a definite huge step for me. 'I remember last year going in ranked around 30 or 40. To be inside the top four one year around, that's massive progress, a testament to my team, the dedication I have had for tennis, the work I have put in on a daily basis. 'You know, I live and breathe the sport, and I'm obsessed with progressing and obsessed with becoming the player that I want to become all the time and achieve the things I want to. 'It's another step in the right direction. At Wimbledon, regardless of seeding, each match is very difficult, because obviously you've got loads of top players in the draw, a bit like this week. 'But it gives me confidence knowing I'm in that position and I'm going to be in the right place for that.' In the semi-finals Draper will face Czech world number 30 Jiri Lehecka, who ended Jacob Fearnley's promising debut run. The British number two looked heavy-legged in an error-strewn 7-5 6-2 defeat. Fearnley was scheduled to play the opening match despite a gruelling three-setter against Corentin Moutet the day before, followed by a win in the doubles – alongside Cameron Norrie – over Lehecka and Fritz. 'Obviously if I'd known I was going to be put on first the day after playing a long match in 32 degrees and playing another doubles match late at night, then I probably wouldn't have played doubles,' he said. 'It's just difficult to predict those things sometimes. It's just about being smart about it, really.' Top seed, top form 🥇@QueensTennis | #HSBCChampionships | @carlosalcaraz — ATP Tour (@atptour) June 20, 2025 Top seed Alcaraz eased through to the other semi-final after beating Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech 7-5 6-4. Alcaraz, who spent almost three and a half hours on court on Thursday beating fellow Spaniard Jaume Munar, said: 'I could feel better but honestly I thought I would be feeling worse than I am right now. 'But as tennis players we have to do what we have to do and that's to recover and play the next day. I am glad today was one hour and 20 minutes.'
Rhyl Journal
an hour ago
- Sport
- Rhyl Journal
Jack Draper clinches important Wimbledon seeding by reaching Queen's semi-finals
The British number one battled past American Brandon Nakashima 6-4 5-7 6-4 on the Andy Murray Arena. Draper is now two wins away from becoming only the second home men's singles winner in the Open era – after the man the court is named in honour of. But more importantly, Draper has moved above Novak Djokovic and Taylor Fritz in the world rankings to a career-high of four. YEEESSSS!! @jackdraper0 is a semi-finalist at the #HSBCChampionships for the first time ❤️🔥#BackTheBrits 🇬🇧 | @QueensTennis — LTA (@the_LTA) June 20, 2025 That means at Wimbledon, the 23-year-old can avoid Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, the world numbers one and two respectively, until the semi-finals. 'I've got to get to the semis first,' he smiled. 'But last year I went there ranked 40th and now I'm fourth. To get to that position is an incredible feeling. It is testament to the work me and my team have done and I'm proud of that.' In a hard-fought first set Draper saved six break points as Nakashima tried to haul back an early break. Draper then made hard work of taking the opener, finally getting the job done on his sixth set point. In the second set Nakashima eventually converted one of his chances when Draper sent a tired-looking forehand long to take the match the distance. At 3-3 in the decider Draper brought up two breaks points and thought he had made the first with a backhand out wide, but the crowd's cheers had drowned out the automatic line call. However, he thudded the second out of Nakashima's reach, saved two break points as he served for the match and wrapped up another hard-fought win in two hours and 22 minutes. 'It means the world to me, the support I've received this week has been amazing,' added Draper after becoming Britain's first semi-finalist since Cameron Norrie in 2021. 'At times I've not played great tennis but I've tried to believe in myself.' In the semi-finals Draper will face Czech world number 30 Jiri Lehecka, who ended Jacob Fearnley's promising debut run. The British number two looked heavy-legged in an error-strewn 7-5 6-2 defeat. Fearnley was scheduled to play the opening match despite a gruelling three-setter against Corentin Moutet the day before, followed by a win in the doubles – alongside Norrie – over Lehecka and Taylor Fritz. 'Obviously if I'd known I was going to be put on first the day after playing a long match in 32 degrees and playing another doubles match late at night, then I probably wouldn't have played doubles,' he said. 'It's just difficult to predict those things sometimes. It's just about being smart about it, really.'
The Herald Scotland
an hour ago
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Katie Boulter's bid for Nottingham treble ended by American McCartney Kessler
The British number two was 4-3 up with a break of serve in the final set, but lost the last three games, including her serve twice, to go down 6-3 3-6 6-4. Katie Boulter's sensational run of wins in Nottingham comes to an end #BackTheBrits 🇬🇧 | #LexusNottinghamOpen — LTA (@the_LTA) June 20, 2025 That saw her 12-match winning run on her home court come to an end. American Kessler said: 'It was a really tight match, it was close. I wanted to stay within myself and keep playing my game and luckily I came out on top. 'We are both aggressive players, so there was a lot of shot-making. 'I am trying to get as many titles as I can and put myself in the position to win titles. I am looking forward to the rest of the weekend.' Katie Boulter acknowledges the Nottingham crowd after her defeat to McCartney Kessler (Mike Egerton/PA) She will play Linda Noskova or Rebecca Sramkova in Saturday's semi-finals. Dayana Yastremska will play Magda Linette in the other semi-final. Ukrainian Yastremska beat former US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez 6-3 7-6 (6) in the quarter-final. Linette downed top seed Clara Tauson 6-2 7-5 to book her spot in the last four.
South Wales Guardian
an hour ago
- Sport
- South Wales Guardian
Jack Draper clinches important Wimbledon seeding by reaching Queen's semi-finals
The British number one battled past American Brandon Nakashima 6-4 5-7 6-4 on the Andy Murray Arena. Draper is now two wins away from becoming only the second home men's singles winner in the Open era – after the man the court is named in honour of. But more importantly, Draper has moved above Novak Djokovic and Taylor Fritz in the world rankings to a career-high of four. YEEESSSS!! @jackdraper0 is a semi-finalist at the #HSBCChampionships for the first time ❤️🔥#BackTheBrits 🇬🇧 | @QueensTennis — LTA (@the_LTA) June 20, 2025 That means at Wimbledon, the 23-year-old can avoid Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, the world numbers one and two respectively, until the semi-finals. 'I've got to get to the semis first,' he smiled. 'But last year I went there ranked 40th and now I'm fourth. To get to that position is an incredible feeling. It is testament to the work me and my team have done and I'm proud of that.' In a hard-fought first set Draper saved six break points as Nakashima tried to haul back an early break. Draper then made hard work of taking the opener, finally getting the job done on his sixth set point. In the second set Nakashima eventually converted one of his chances when Draper sent a tired-looking forehand long to take the match the distance. At 3-3 in the decider Draper brought up two breaks points and thought he had made the first with a backhand out wide, but the crowd's cheers had drowned out the automatic line call. However, he thudded the second out of Nakashima's reach, saved two break points as he served for the match and wrapped up another hard-fought win in two hours and 22 minutes. 'It means the world to me, the support I've received this week has been amazing,' added Draper after becoming Britain's first semi-finalist since Cameron Norrie in 2021. 'At times I've not played great tennis but I've tried to believe in myself.' In the semi-finals Draper will face Czech world number 30 Jiri Lehecka, who ended Jacob Fearnley's promising debut run. The British number two looked heavy-legged in an error-strewn 7-5 6-2 defeat. Fearnley was scheduled to play the opening match despite a gruelling three-setter against Corentin Moutet the day before, followed by a win in the doubles – alongside Norrie – over Lehecka and Taylor Fritz. 'Obviously if I'd known I was going to be put on first the day after playing a long match in 32 degrees and playing another doubles match late at night, then I probably wouldn't have played doubles,' he said. 'It's just difficult to predict those things sometimes. It's just about being smart about it, really.'
North Wales Chronicle
2 hours ago
- Sport
- North Wales Chronicle
Jack Draper clinches important Wimbledon seeding by reaching Queen's semi-finals
The British number one battled past American Brandon Nakashima 6-4 5-7 6-4 on the Andy Murray Arena. Draper is now two wins away from becoming only the second home men's singles winner in the Open era – after the man the court is named in honour of. But more importantly, Draper has moved above Novak Djokovic and Taylor Fritz in the world rankings to a career-high of four. YEEESSSS!! @jackdraper0 is a semi-finalist at the #HSBCChampionships for the first time ❤️🔥#BackTheBrits 🇬🇧 | @QueensTennis — LTA (@the_LTA) June 20, 2025 That means at Wimbledon, the 23-year-old can avoid Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, the world numbers one and two respectively, until the semi-finals. 'I've got to get to the semis first,' he smiled. 'But last year I went there ranked 40th and now I'm fourth. To get to that position is an incredible feeling. It is testament to the work me and my team have done and I'm proud of that.' In a hard-fought first set Draper saved six break points as Nakashima tried to haul back an early break. Draper then made hard work of taking the opener, finally getting the job done on his sixth set point. In the second set Nakashima eventually converted one of his chances when Draper sent a tired-looking forehand long to take the match the distance. At 3-3 in the decider Draper brought up two breaks points and thought he had made the first with a backhand out wide, but the crowd's cheers had drowned out the automatic line call. However, he thudded the second out of Nakashima's reach, saved two break points as he served for the match and wrapped up another hard-fought win in two hours and 22 minutes. 'It means the world to me, the support I've received this week has been amazing,' added Draper after becoming Britain's first semi-finalist since Cameron Norrie in 2021. 'At times I've not played great tennis but I've tried to believe in myself.' In the semi-finals Draper will face Czech world number 30 Jiri Lehecka, who ended Jacob Fearnley's promising debut run. The British number two looked heavy-legged in an error-strewn 7-5 6-2 defeat. Fearnley was scheduled to play the opening match despite a gruelling three-setter against Corentin Moutet the day before, followed by a win in the doubles – alongside Norrie – over Lehecka and Taylor Fritz. 'Obviously if I'd known I was going to be put on first the day after playing a long match in 32 degrees and playing another doubles match late at night, then I probably wouldn't have played doubles,' he said. 'It's just difficult to predict those things sometimes. It's just about being smart about it, really.'
