LONDON — Rising British tennis star Jack Draper achieved a career milestone on Friday, securing his first-ever semifinal berth at the prestigious Queen's Club Championships with a hard-fought three-set victory over American Brandon Nakashima.
The 22-year-old left-hander, who has long been touted as one of Britain's brightest prospects, battled past Nakashima 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 in a tense quarterfinal clash. The win marks Draper's deepest run at an ATP 500 event and fulfills what he described as a "childhood dream" to compete at the business end of one of the sport's most historic grass-court tournaments.
A Breakthrough Performance
Draper's victory was built on a combination of powerful serving and aggressive baseline play, hallmarks of his game that have drawn comparisons to former Wimbledon champion Andy Murray. He fired 12 aces and won 82% of his first-serve points, while also converting three of his five break-point opportunities.
Speaking after the match, an emotional Draper reflected on the significance of the moment: "This is a huge step for me. Queen's has always been a special tournament—I grew up watching the greats play here, and to now be in the semifinals myself is surreal."
Key Moments of the Match
The match swung back and forth, with both players showcasing their grass-court prowess. Draper took the first set with a single break, but Nakashima responded strongly in the second, capitalizing on a dip in the Brit's intensity. The decisive third set saw Draper raise his level, breaking early and holding firm under pressure.
- First Set: Draper broke Nakashima in the seventh game, sealing it with a blistering forehand winner.
- Second Set: Nakashima countered with consistent depth, breaking twice to level the match.
- Third Set: Draper regained control with an early break and closed out the match with a dominant service game.
A Dream Realized
For Draper, this run at Queen's represents the culmination of years of hard work and perseverance. The Surrey native has long been seen as a future star, but injuries and inconsistency have hampered his progress. His 2024 season, however, has been a revelation, with strong performances on both hard and clay courts leading into the grass swing.
His coach, former British No. 1 James Trotman, praised Draper's mental resilience: "Jack's belief in himself has grown massively this year. He’s always had the talent, but now he’s backing it up with the right mindset."
Looking Ahead
Draper will face either top seed Carlos Alcaraz or unseeded American Tommy Paul in the semifinals. A win would make him the first British finalist at Queen's since Cameron Norrie in 2021. With Wimbledon just around the corner, Draper's form has positioned him as a dark horse for a deep run at SW19.
The Brit acknowledged the challenge ahead but remained focused: "Whoever I play next, it’s going to be tough. But I’m playing with confidence, and I’ll give it everything."
A Star on the Rise
Draper's ascent has not gone unnoticed by tennis pundits. Former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash described him as "the most exciting young player on grass right now," while BBC commentator Andrew Castle highlighted his "fearless attitude and big-match temperament."
With a career-high ranking of No. 31 and now a maiden ATP 500 semifinal under his belt, Draper is poised to break into the sport's upper echelons. His performance at Queen's has already secured him a seeding at Wimbledon, further fueling hopes of a breakthrough on home soil.
As the British summer of tennis heats up, all eyes will be on Draper to see if he can continue his dream run. For now, though, he’s savoring the moment. "This is just the beginning," he said with a smile.