Jack Draper v Jiri Lehecka live: Queen's tennis scores and results before Alcaraz in action
Jack Draper will play in the semi-finals at Queen's Club for the first time today as he squares off against fellow rising star Jiri Lehecka with a place in the final on the line.
The British No 1 beat Brandon Nakashima in a three-set battle in the quarter-finals on Friday, eventually triumphing 6-4, 5-7, 6-4. In addition to sealing a last-four spot that also guaranteed him a top four seeding at Wimbledon, meaning he'll avoid playing big guns Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner until at least the semi-finals at SW19.
Talking of Alcaraz, the Queen's top seed had been in a titanic three-hour-plus battle on Thursday to reach the quarter-finals but had a much easier rider 24 hours later as he downed Arthur Rinderknech 7-5, 6-4 to book a spot today's semi-final against countryman Roberto Bautista Agut. That means the dream Draper v Alcaraz final is still a possibility.
But Bautista Agut is a wily veteran, while Lehecka has impressed at Queen's ever since knocking out fifth seed Alex De Minaur in the first round and he'll be eyeing another British scalp in the form of Draper after beating Jacob Fearnley on Friday, as the British No 2 lost in straight sets in his first ATP quarter-final.
Jack Draper seals huge Wimbledon boost after Queen's quarter-final victory
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:
Jack Draper seals huge Wimbledon boost after Queen's quarter-final victory
The British No 1 beat Brandon Nakashima and, with an eye on Wimbledon, has secured a leap up the rankings
Luke Baker21 June 2025 12:10
Order of play
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.
Andy Murray Arena
From 1pm BST
Jack Draper (2) v Jiri Lehecka
Carlos Alcaraz (1) v Roberto Bautista Agut
Luke Baker21 June 2025 12:08
Queen's club semi-finals
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
Luke Baker21 June 2025 12:05
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The Sun
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Tennis star Jiri Lehecka's girlfriend breaks down in tears live on BBC after his win over Brit Jack Draper
JIRI LEHECKA scored a brilliant win over Jack Draper - and it was all too much for girlfriend Lucka Neumannova. The Czech ace stunned the British No. 1 to book his place in Sunday's final at Queen's Club. 5 5 5 5 Lehecka smashed 16 aces on his way to a 6-4, 4-6, 7-5 win in the London sunshine. And watching on from the Queen's terraces was stunning partner Lucka. Lehecka's energy-sapping win proved too much for the Czech athlete as she was overcome by emotion. She was spotted bursting into tears while applauding her man's efforts in scorching 30c heat. Lucka was spotted supporting Lehecka in January as he advanced to the 4th round in the Australian Open. The pair have reportedly been dating since last year. A track and field athlete, Lucka has been embracing the London life over the past week. She uploaded a series of snaps to her 129,000 Instagram fans ahead of Saturday's semi-final at Queen's. BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK The 22-year-old tucked into strawberries and cream, before heading for a run around a nearby park. Lehecka will face either World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz or Roberto Bautista Agut in Sunday's final. Medical emergency stops Jack Draper's Queen's match as distressed fans are picked up on TV The win was one of the biggest of his career and sees him reach a first-ever grass-court final. Lehecka said: "It means a lot, you don't beat a player like Jack every day. "I want to say thanks to [the crowd] for making it fair. "I know your favourite didn't win today, but I really appreciate you being fair and clapping when I hit a few good [shots]." It proved a day to forget for No. 2 seed Draper, who had been an overwhelming favourite to reach tomorrow's final. He let his frustration boil over midway through the match, smashing his racquet to bits and appearing to break the courtside ad hoardings. Despite failing to break a nine-year run without a Brit winner at Queen's, Draper's run to the semis was crucial for his ranking. Draper has now climbed above Novak Djokovic and Taylor Fritz, cementing a top-four seeding at Wimbledon. He will therefore avoid Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner until the semi-finals.
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Moment furious Jack Draper breaks advertising board after smashing racquet in shocking Queen's meltdown
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But it appeared the damage was not limited to the screen. Because Draper also cracked right through his frame to break his racquet, sending his shock absorber flying. And it appeared he may have hurt himself too as he checked his hand and hobbled gingerly to his chair for the changeover with blood on his knee. Draper was given a code violation warning for unsportsmanlike conduct by umpire Adel Nour - having earlier escaped punishment for blasting a ball in anger - to go with his time violation warning. BBC Sport commentator Andrew Cotter said: "Again, the anger shows which you understand. "That racquet has seen better days. He's done a bit of damage and maybe damage to his hand. "Adel Nour had no option at all. Yes, you understand it, this is a big, big event for Draper." After digging a fresh racquet out of his bag, the former US Open semi-finalist could not get the all-important immediate break back as Lehecka served out the win and book his place in the final. But tennis fans on social media were disappointed with Draper's furious outburst. One said: "Striking the hard-to-maintain grass court in front of your home fans and your knee like a psycho after losing a point, you will never make me like Jack Draper." Another wrote: "Some weak umpiring meant Draper didn't get a warning when he fired a ball earlier. Furious at getting broken at 5-5 in the third he goes after the ad board signage and… breaks it." A third added: "Lehecka breaks and Draper smashes the billboard… hefty fine coming for the Brit." A fourth commented: "Kids will be watching and follow his abysmal behaviour, just like McIlroy launching his golf clubs through the air. There is absolutely no excuse." And a final user wrote: "Pathetic from Draper. Misses a shot and smashes his racquet into the advertising board. Can't stand that sort of behaviour." It is not the first time Draper has destroyed a racquet in recent times. 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But the impact - as is so often the case in these decisions - has ramifications further down, below the surface with very little impact on Wimbledon's Championships or the players. It is on the line judges themselves. Approximately 300 officials - aged from 18 to 80 - covered more than 650 matches at Wimbledon. A fraction travel internationally with the circuit but the vast majority of those are part-time line judges based in the UK, earning up to £180 per day to work at the prestigious tournament and their chance to play their part at Wimbledon. For many, they will help out at British tournaments throughout the year, spurred on by the possibility of taking to the lawns of the All England Club. But it is understood many of those officials would be reluctant to work at the lower-level tournaments without the carrot of Wimbledon dangling in the summer. 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