Moment furious Jack Draper breaks advertising board after smashing racquet in shocking Queen's meltdown
Third time in recent months Draper has obliterated frame on court
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JACK DRAPER broke the electronic advertising hoardings as he smashed his racquet... and crashed out of Queen's.
The British No1 was desperate to book his place in the final in West London.
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Jack Draper broke the advertising hoarding at Queen's
Credit: BBC Sport
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The electric panel cut out
Credit: BBC Sport
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Draper's own sponsor Dunlop was showing at the time of his outburst
Credit: Getty
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His racquet frame cracked and mangled
Credit: Getty
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Draper appeared to hurt his hand and knee in the incident
Credit: PA
But he came up just short against Czech ace Jiri Lehecka, losing an agonising semi-final 6-4 4-6 7-5.
And Draper's temper boiled over when he lost his serve at a crucial time late in the deciding set.
The world No6 - who will be seeded fourth at Wimbledon - was beaten by a stunning clean backhand winner from his opponent to seal the break.
And as Draper ran across the back of the Andy Murray Arena court, he let his frustration out.
Careful not to damage the manicured lawn, the Sutton star whacked his Dunlop racquet into the electronic board at the side of the court.
But as he did so, the screen - ironically showing a red-and-white advert for his own sponsors Dunlop - crackled and then cut out.
The top part of the hoarding also came away.
But it appeared the damage was not limited to the screen.
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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.
He's very lucky' - Tennis star's racket almost flies into Queen's Club spectator in shocking scenes
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.
Tennis stars' new careers
PLENTY of tennis stars have stayed involved in the sport since retiring.
But others pursued very different careers. Here are some of the best… I reached French Open and Wimbledon finals as a teenager but I quit to become a nun
I won Wimbledon mixed doubles with my sister but got fed up with English weather so now run luxury B&B
I was tipped for stardom aged 12 but retrained to become high-flying lawyer
I earned £9m and won French Open before setting up bistro with Brazilian model girlfriend
I'm last Frenchman to win Roland Garros, now I'm singer with six albums hitting No1 in charts
I'm former world No1 but quit aged 29 - instead I went on to play professional poker and golf
I was destined for the top but swapped lobs for labs as award-winning Harvard physicist
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.
Draper obliterated his frame in Great Britain's Davis Cup defeat to Canada in November and did the same at the Italian Open in Rome last month.
But he will be hoping he can channel his concentration into a deep run at Wimbledon, which gets underway next Monday.
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Draper was broken at 5-5 in the third set
Credit: BBC Sport
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His frustration boiled over as he crashed out in the semis
Credit: BBC Sport
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Draper tossed away the mangled frame a the changeover
Credit: Getty
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Blood was spotted on his knee following the racquet smash
Credit: BBC Sport
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