Alcaraz stunned by Draper in second round at Queen’s

Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz suffered a shock defeat at Queen’s Club on Thursday as he was beaten 7-6 (3), 6-3 by in-form Briton Jack Draper in the second round of the cinch Championships.

The world No 2, who will defend his Wimbledon title next month, was edged out in the first-set tiebreak and then outplayed in the second as Draper recorded the best win of his career to reach the quarter-finals.

“Carlos is an amazing champion,” Draper said. “He won Wimbledon last year, he’s an incredible talent, amazing for the sport and I knew I had to come out here and play really well. Thankfully I was able to do that.”

Draper arrived at Queen’s Club having won his first ATP title in Stuttgart and on Thursday, he played the kind of tennis that has made many tip him for the very top.

The left-hander held his nerve when Alcaraz, the recently crowned French Open and current Wimbledon champion, hit back in the first-set tiebreak and then played a brilliant second set to set up a clash with American Tommy Paul in the quarter-finals.

Jack Draper won against Argentinian Mariano Navone (6-3, 6-2) ahead of his victory.

In the previous round of the Queen’s tournament, Alcaraz, ranked No 2, defeated Argentinian Francisco Cerundolo (6-1, 7-5).

London ATP 500, other second-round results (Queen’s Club, grass, EUR 2.255.655, most recent results first):

• Brandon Nakashima vs. Lorenzo Musetti
• Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard vs. Billy Harris
• Tommy Paul beat Alejandro Tabilo: 6-3, 6-4
• Taylor Fritz (4) beat Milos Raonic: 7-6 (5), 6-4
• Jordan Thompson beat Andy Murray (WC): 4-1 ret.
• Sebastian Korda beat Grigor Dimitrov (3): 6-4, 3-6, 7-5
• Rinky Hijikata (Q) beat Matteo Arnaldi: 7-6, 7-6 (7)