Jack Draper v Jiri Lehecka live: Queen’s tennis scores and results before Alcaraz in action

Jacob Fearnley’s Queen’s Club run was halted in the quarter-finals in straight sets by Jiri Lehecka.

The British number two looked heavy-legged in an error-strewn 7-5 6-2 defeat to the Czech world number 30.

Fearnley was scheduled to play the opening match on the Andy Murray Arena despite a gruelling three-setter against Corentin Moutet the day before, followed by a win in the doubles – alongside Cameron Norrie – against Lehecka and Taylor Fritz.

Lehecka got revenge for that defeat by preventing Fearnley from becoming the first British man to reach the semi-finals on his Queen’s Club debut in 48 years.

Jack Draper admitted climbing into the world’s top four was a “huge step” but insisted it means no guarantees of success at Wimbledon.

“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.

“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.”

On one level, it is mission accomplished for Jack Draper at Queen’s Club this week. Of course, there is still a tournament to win, a prestigious tournament at that, especially for a British player. Rather tantalisingly, Draper remains on a final collision course with world No 2 Carlos Alcaraz. What a showdown that would be.

But around these parts, there is always one eye firmly set on the big grass court dance, five miles south, in 10 days’ time.

The surprise first-round exit of current world No 4 Taylor Fritz this week, and the non-activity of No 5 Novak Djokovic, handed No 6 Draper a golden opportunity to seal a top-four seeding for Wimbledon. With that comes an easier quarter-final at SW19 – by ranking, avoiding the likes of Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner until the semis – should he get there.

Read Kieran Jackson’s full piece from Queen’s Club yesterday:

The order of play is quite simple today. Jack Draper is first up on the Andy Murray Arena taking on Jiri Lehecka at 1pm BST.

Then following that match, potentially around 3pm-ish, will be Carlos Alcaraz v Roberto Bautista Agut.

Jack Draper (2) v Jiri Lehecka

Carlos Alcaraz (1) v Roberto Bautista Agut

Welcome to semi-final Saturday at Queen’s Club with a pair of cracking last-four matches on the docket.

Jack Draper and Carlos Alcaraz are both in action, so stick with The Independent for full live coverage