Archive June 21, 2025

Jack Draper’s hopes of winning Queen’s were ended by Jiri Lehecka when the British number one was beaten in a thrilling semi-final.

The 23-year-old had battled back from losing the first set to take the second and then went toe-to-toe with his Czech opponent in the third.

But Lehecka got a crucial break at 5-5, prompting Draper to smash his racquet into the advertising hoardings as he knew just how damaging that was to his dream of reaching the final.

And so it proved as Lehecka served to seal a 6-4 4-6 7-5 win in west London to advance to Sunday’s final, where he will face either top seed Carlos Alcaraz or Roberto Bautista Agut.

Draper had often started slowly at this tournament before getting into his groove and winning but in this instance he found Lehecka had too much for him.

He was broken in the opening game when a double fault gave Lehacka an early boost and the Czech used his big serve well to close out the first set.

Draper’s failure to take advantage of having four break points in the fourth game of the second set looked like being pivotal, but he dug deep to stay in the match before breaking Lehecka for the first time at 5-4 up to take things to a decider, where Lehecka came out on top.

While Draper will be disappointed not to have reached the final – something he had dreamed of as a child – he can be encouraged by his overall performance as Wimbledon approaches at the end of this month.

His run to the last four ensures he not only goes there in good confidence but as one of the top four seeds, ensuring he would avoid defending champion Alcaraz or world number one Jannik Sinner until at least the semi-finals.

Lehecka’s serve was a formidable weapon in the first set but the tide appeared to turn Draper’s way in the second as he started finding ways to beat his opponent with some fantastic shots.

There was a tense moment when Draper and the crowd were unsure whether a winner at set point had landed in before it was confirmed by the automated line call, prompting a roar from the British player and the Andy Murray Arena spectators.

Draper now has some time off the court before he puts all his focus on going further than he has before at Wimbledon, where he will be seen as the great British hope in the men’s draw when the Grand Slam starts on 30 June.

He has never progressed beyond the second round of the tournament but his form so far this year suggests there is a strong possibility of going far this time.

“He is an amazing competitor,” multi-Grand Slam-winning doubles player and Queen’s tournament director Jamie Murray told BBC Sport.

“He is a big guy but moves incredibly well. He has that left hand that will help him in defensive situations that maybe right-handers don’t have.

“He is having an amazing year and we are hoping he will have a great Wimbledon.

Jack Draper’s hopes of winning Queen’s were ended by Jiri Lehecka when the British number one was beaten in a thrilling semi-final.

The 23-year-old had battled back from losing the first set to take the second and then went toe-to-toe with his Czech opponent in the third.

But Lehecka got a crucial break at 5-5, prompting Draper to smash his racquet into the advertising hoardings as he knew just how damaging that was to his dream of reaching the final.

And so it proved as Lehecka served to seal a 6-4 4-6 7-5 win in west London to advance to Sunday’s final, where he will face either top seed Carlos Alcaraz or Roberto Bautista Agut.

Draper had often started slowly at this tournament before getting into his groove and winning but in this instance he found Lehecka had too much for him.

He was broken in the opening game when a double fault gave Lehacka an early boost and the Czech used his big serve well to close out the first set.

Draper’s failure to take advantage of having four break points in the fourth game of the second set looked like being pivotal, but he dug deep to stay in the match before breaking Lehecka for the first time at 5-4 up to take things to a decider, where Lehecka came out on top.

While Draper will be disappointed not to have reached the final – something he had dreamed of as a child – he can be encouraged by his overall performance as Wimbledon approaches at the end of this month.

His run to the last four ensures he not only goes there in good confidence but as one of the top four seeds, ensuring he would avoid defending champion Alcaraz or world number one Jannik Sinner until at least the semi-finals.

Lehecka’s serve was a formidable weapon in the first set but the tide appeared to turn Draper’s way in the second as he started finding ways to beat his opponent with some fantastic shots.

There was a tense moment when Draper and the crowd were unsure whether a winner at set point had landed in before it was confirmed by the automated line call, prompting a roar from the British player and the Andy Murray Arena spectators.

Before Draper devotes all of his time to advancing beyond his previous best efforts at Wimbledon, where he will be regarded as the greatest British hope when the Grand Slam begins on June 30.

Although he has never advanced past the second round of the tournament, his current form suggests that this player has a good chance of succeeding.

Jamie Murray, a multi-Grand Slam winner and Queen’s tournament director, told BBC Sport, “He is an amazing competitor.”

He moves incredibly well despite being big. He has a left hand that, unlike right-handers, will not be able to use in defensive situations.

We are anticipating a fantastic Wimbledon for him because he is having an amazing year.

Lazzat, a French runner, defeated Satono Reve to deny Japan’s first victory at Royal Ascot.

The 9-2 winner, trained by Jerome Reynier, won by James Doyle.

Following the earlier success of Humidity in the Chesham Stakes, the jockey and winning owners Wathnan Racing and Flora Of Bermuda were celebrating a double.

After 12 unsuccessful attempts, Satono Reve, who had previously won the meeting, was beaten by half a length.

Lazzat unshipped his jockey and ran around the Ascot track before being caught as Doyle celebrated after the line.

The Hardwicke Stakes victory by Rebel’s Romance was Charlie Appleby’s first royal ascot victory since 2022.

The horse’s halter, William Buick, won the Group One race for the eighth time.

He was the horse we needed, he claimed. In the end, I’m just happy to see one on the board, according to Appleby.

Treanmor, who won the 6-4 stakes at the end of the week, finished fifth behind Humidity, who won the Ascots.

Royal Ascot has been added to the impressive resume of the globetrotting Rebel’s Romance, which has resulted in significant victories in Dubai, Hong Kong, and the United States.

He is the oldest winner of the race in more than a century and has an annual income of more than £10 million.

“We had a shot, a roll of the dice left, and what a partner,” the statement read. He’s a dream horse, according to Buick, and I’m blessed.

He and I “glut together;” he calls me “my best friend.”

The 6-4 favorite finished ahead of Al Riffa, with Ghostwriter taking third place after Amo Racing’s Kia Joorabchian purchased the team for £2 million this week.

Humidity won the Chesham Stakes in a week that had reached 30C.

Owners Wathnan Racing received a fourth winner of the week from James Doyle’s 4-year effort under the guidance of trainer Andrew Balding.

Lazzat, a French runner, defeated Satono Reve to deny Japan’s first victory at Royal Ascot.

The 9-2 winner, trained by Jerome Reynier, won by James Doyle.

Following the earlier success of Humidity in the Chesham Stakes, the jockey and winning owners Wathnan Racing and Flora Of Bermuda were celebrating a double.

After 12 unsuccessful attempts, Satono Reve, who had previously won the meeting, was beaten by half a length.

Lazzat unshipped his jockey and ran around the Ascot track before being caught as Doyle celebrated after the line.

The Hardwicke Stakes victory by Rebel’s Romance was Charlie Appleby’s first royal ascot victory since 2022.

The horse’s halter, William Buick, won the Group One race for the eighth time.

He was the horse we needed, he claimed. In the end, I’m just happy to see one on the board, according to Appleby.

Treanmor, who won the 6-4 stakes at the end of the week, finished fifth behind Humidity, who won the Ascots.

Royal Ascot has been added to the impressive resume of the globetrotting Rebel’s Romance, which has resulted in significant victories in Dubai, Hong Kong, and the United States.

He is the oldest winner of the race in more than a century and has an annual income of more than £10 million.

“We had a shot, a roll of the dice left, and what a partner,” the statement read. He’s a dream horse, according to Buick, and I’m blessed.

He and I “glut together;” he calls me “my best friend.”

The 6-4 favorite finished ahead of Al Riffa, with Ghostwriter taking third place after Amo Racing’s Kia Joorabchian purchased the team for £2 million this week.

Humidity won the Chesham Stakes in a week that had reached 30C.

Owners Wathnan Racing received a fourth winner of the week from James Doyle’s 4-year effort under the guidance of trainer Andrew Balding.