Draper beats Popyrin to reach Queen’s last eight

British number one Jack Draper fought back from a set down to come through a tricky last-16 encounter with Alexei Popyrin and keep alive his hopes of a maiden title at Queen’s.

Draper had breezed through his opening match against Jenson Brooksby on Tuesday, raising hopes he could follow in Andy Murray’s footsteps and win his home tournament.

Those hopes will have been increased further after the 23-year-old dug deep to overcome world number 21 Popyrin, who knocked Novak Djokovic out of last year’s US Open.

The gruelling encounter in the west London sun went the distance but Draper came out on top in a thrilling third-set tie-break to progress 3-6 6-2 7-6 (7-5) , with the Briton punching the air in delight after sealing the win with an ace.

Draper’s win means there remains the prospect of an all-British quarter-final.

All eyes have been on Draper this week as he takes on the pressure of being the great British hope with Wimbledon approaching.

The 23-year-old has said he is comfortable dealing with that weight of expectation, and underlined that belief by producing some of his best tennis towards the end of the tie-break to seal the victory.

Having found himself behind when Popyrin got the first mini-break, Draper used the support of the packed centre court crowd to fight back.

A brilliant backhand down the line got the better of the Australian to put Draper on match point, and he sealed the win with a thunderous ace.

Draper will have his eyes firmly set on winning at Queen’s but he will have another incentive to keep progressing, as reaching the semi-finals will mean he is seeded fourth at Wimbledon.

“It was a tough match, credit to Alexei, he played some amazing tennis,” he said.

“I love playing at home and in front of my friends and family. It’s an emotional moment.