ATP Tour

Jack Draper pulls off incredible Carlos Alcaraz giant killing at Queen's

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 20 June 2024

Giant killing alert! Draper shocks defending Queen's champion Alcaraz

British number one Jack Draper pulls off a mesmerising giant killing of defending champion Carlos Alcaraz to reach the Queen's quarter-finals.

New British number one Jack Draper clinched the biggest victory of his embryonic career as he eliminated defending champion Carlos Alcaraz from Queen's in the second round.

The 22-year-old had lost both of his first two meetings with the Wimbledon holder - albeit one through a retirement - but continued his astonishing form with a 7-6[3] 6-3 triumph to reach the quarter-finals.

Draper returned to British shores on the back of finally winning his maiden ATP Tour title at the Stuttgart Open, having been forced to accept runners-up trophies in two previous finals, and his success saw him overtake Cameron Norrie to become his nation's new men's number one.

Draper was a comfortable victor over Mariano Navone in round one but faced a daunting test of his progression against 2023 Queen's winner Alcaraz, whom he lost to in Basel two years ago before retiring from their Indian Wells battle last year.

Jack Draper beats Carlos Alcaraz in straight sets and moves to the Queen's quarter-finals!

What a win for the British number one.👏#BBCTennis pic.twitter.com/PIm62FztTs
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) June 20, 2024

Draper explodes with emotion after stunning Alcaraz

However, the British number one immediately made Alcaraz uncomfortable behind his own serve, although neither man fashioned a break point in the opening set, where an early Alcaraz unforced error in the tie-breaker set the tone.

Draper ruthlessly capitalised on the Spaniard's mistakes to edge the opener, before taking the one opportunity he conjured up to break Alcaraz in the sixth game of the second set, smashing a terrific return winner past his opponent.

The Briton subsequently saved a break point to hold for 5-2 before Alcaraz saved three match points on his own serve, but after an eighth Draper ace brought up his fourth opportunity to shock the champion, Alcaraz netted a forehand for the last time to relinquish his grip on the crown.

Awaiting Draper in the quarter-finals is the USA's Tommy Paul, who knocked the 22-year-old out of this year's Australian Open before Draper eased to victory in their most recent meeting in Acapulco.