Draper's Queen's hopes dashed by big-serving Lehecka
London
Jack Draper failed in his bid to be crowned the new British king of Queen's Club after a three-set defeat by Jiri Lehecka in the semi-final on Saturday.
Lehecka became the first Czech finalist since Ivan Lendl 35 years ago after a 6-4, 4-6, 7-5 victory.
It was a tough loss for Draper on home soil with the British number one angrily smashing his racket and damaging a digital advertising hoarding as the match slipped away.
But it has been a successful week for the 23-year-old, with his run to the last four earning him a top-four seeding at Wimbledon.
The Czech will meet Carlos Alcaraz or fellow Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut in Sunday's final.
'It means a lot,' said Lehecka. 'You don't meet a player like Jack every day, he's an amazing competitor.'
One poor service game at the start, punctuated by two aces and a double fault on break point, ultimately cost Draper the first set.
He did not get a sniff on the Lehecka serve, with his fellow 23-year-old regularly sending down aces approaching 140mph.
In the second Draper began making inroads, a stunning flicked backhand cross-court winner helping bring up his first break points.
But Lehecka repelled all four to hold for 2-2, with Draper beginning to cut a frustrated figure on the baseline.
With singer Jon Bon Jovi watching from the posh seats, the tension was briefly lifted with a blast of his biggest hit 'Livin' on a Prayer' at the change over.
Draper re-emerged in a blaze of glory, an ace sealing a hold to love before a winner down the line levelled the match.
Lehecka forced a break point at 4-4 but netted after a long, tense exchange and Draper survived.
However, Lehecka was looking the stronger and, after a comfortable hold, snatched the break for 6-5 with a stunning backhand winner.
Draper smashed his racket in anger, earning a code violation, before Lehecka finished the job to win in two hours and seven minutes, ensuring Britain's wait for a first Queen's winner since Andy Murray in 2016 goes on.
While Draper will be disappointed not to have reached the final - something he had dreamed of as a child - he can be encouraged by his overall performance as Wimbledon approaches.
His run to the last four ensures he not only goes there in good confidence but as one of the top four seeds, ensuring he would avoid defending champion Alcaraz or world number one Jannik Sinner until at least the semi-finals.
'I don't condone that behaviour, but at the same time, that's kind of where I was at today,' Draper said of his racquet-smashing.
'I was trying to use everything I could. I tried to compete [for] every ball. But in the end, anger just spilled over a little bit too much.'
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