'Incredible feeling' - Jack Draper gets major Wimbledon boost with victory over Brandon Nakashima in Queen's quarter-finals

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The excitement surrounding Jack Draper's Wimbledon hopes went up a notch following his victory over Brandon Nakashima in the Queen's quarter-finals. Reaching the last four meant Draper would climb to No. 4 in the world rankings and will be one of the top seeds at next month's home Grand Slam. He will now avoid both Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner until the semi-finals at Wimbledon.

Draper digs deep to beat Nakashima and reach Queen’s semis

Video credit: SNTV

Jack Draper will be the fourth seed at Wimbledon after beating Brandon Nakashima to reach the semi-finals at Queen's.

The Brit won a hard-fought match 6-4 5-7 6-4 against his American opponent to set up a last-four clash with Jiri Lehecka.

Draper will now move up to No. 4 in the ATP rankings following Queen's and as the fourth seed at Wimbledon will avoid both world No. 1 Jannik Sinner and world No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz until the semis.

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Draper admitted climbing into the top four of the rankings ahead of his home Grand Slam was "an incredible feeling".

"I keep on getting asked about top four seeding but I have to get to the semis [at Wimbledon] first," he said in his on-court interview.

"To get to that position is an incredible feeling. It is testament to the work me and my team have done and I am proud of that."

On beating Nakashima, Draper said: "The support I've received this week has been amazing. I am used to battling on the grass but to be in the semi-final here is something I've wanted since I was a kid, so it means everything to me.

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Video credit: SNTV

"I think at times I've not played some great tennis and in those moments I've just tried to believe in myself and I think that is where the confidence has come from.

"Hopefully, I can carry onto the next round and get better."

Draper was tested by Nakashima on a hot afternoon in London, breaking in the third game of the first set before surviving six break opportunities for his opponent.

The single break of the set proved crucial as Draper held his serve throughout, but Nakashima hit back in the second set.

There was little between the two players, but the American got the decisive break at 5-5 and then served out the set to level proceedings.

It looked like being a case of who could reserve the most energy in the final set, with the sun beaming down. And so it proved, with Draper finishing the stronger and taking the game to Nakashima with the score level at 3-3.

After breaking with a superb forehand down the line, Draper's service game for the match was not without anxiety. He was asked to save two break points, but eventually rallied to seal victory with a volley at the net.

Expectations will now be high at Wimbledon, but a title at Queen's will be the immediate priority for Draper.

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