Draper survives scare to reach Queen’s quarterfinals

LONDON: British second seed Jack Draper survived a scare to reach the Queen’s Club quarterfinals with a gritty 3-6, 6-2, 7-6 (7/5) win over Australia’s Alexei Popyrin on Wednesday.

Draper was rocked by the world No. 21 in the first set of the second-round tie at the Wimbledon warm-up event.

But the 23-year-old hit back to level the match before taking the final set tie-break to complete his comeback in a tense encounter lasting two hours and 13 minutes in searing heat in west London.

Earlier in his career, such a test of endurance would have been too much for Draper, but he believes he is made of sterner stuff these days.

“Before I felt like my energy wasn’t that strong, and I felt like I looked like a bit of a Ferrari but I was a bit of a Toyota, like broke down quite easy,” Draper said.

“Now I’m starting to feel generally stronger and confident in myself.

“I have felt better and better every Grand Slam I have played.”

Draper, who reached the US Open semifinals last year, is hoping to make a strong run at Wimbledon this year after failing to get past the second round in his previous three appearance.

The Londoner has made the last 16 at both the Australian and French Opens this year, rising to sixth in the ATP rankings.

If Draper can reach the Queen’s semifinals for the first time after two previous last-eight exits, he will be guaranteed to be seeded fourth at Wimbledon when the grass-court Grand Slam gets underway on June 30.

After losing the first set against Popyrin, Draper’s powerful ground-stroke dragged him level with a double break in the second set.

Popyrin clung on valiantly, saving two match points as he served at 4-5 in the final set.

In the tiebreak he led 4-2, pushing Draper to the brink of a