Jack Draper is gutted to have fallen short at Queen’s but Pat Cash has explained how the Brit can use it as a positive.
The 23-year-old took on Jiri Lehecka for a spot in Sunday’s championship match and it was a high-level encounter.
It was the Czech player who came out on top in an exciting three-set match to end British hopes of success at Queen’s.
Draper was bitterly disappointed to lose but with Wimbledon on the horizon, Pat Cash does not think he should be too disappointed with this setback.
Pat Cash says Jack Draper can benefit from Queen’s semi-final defeat
Draper contested his Queen’s semi-final against Lehecka, who had not dropped a set at the tournament.
That streak continued when he claimed the first set against Draper, but the 2024 US Open semi-finalist battled back to level proceedings by taking the second set.
But as Draper’s first serve began to desert him late in the deciding set, Lehecka’s serve became impenetrable, and he eventually broke Draper to lead 6-5, before Lehecka successfully served for a 6-4, 4-6, 7-5 win.
Draper was furious as he smacked his racket against the advertising boardings after losing his serve. He desperately wanted to win this match, but Cash is looking ahead to Wimbledon and thinks the defeat has done Draper some good.
“The Queen’s tournament is a good sign of who is going into the Wimbledon championships in form. The idea is to get some matches under your belt, and tough matches, Cash told BBC Radio 5 Live.
“Jack’s had some really competitive matches and that sharpens up your focus and you’re playing under pressure and that is what it is all about.
“Jack’s done really well this week, he couldn’t pull it out today, full credit to Lehecka he just didn’t give him the opportunity to do so.
“I almost think the worst thing that could have happened is if he came through and won the tournament and then everyone would be talking about him winning Wimbledon. The pressure is off now. A loss like that is not necessarily a bad thing.”
Jack Draper shows signs of frustration in Queen’s defeat
Draper desperately wanted to reach the Queen’s final but he was unable to defeat Lehecka.
The new World number four’s frustrations soon boiled over as he smacked his racket against the advertising boards after losing his serve.
The incident caused Draper to draw blood from his knee as he expressed his burning desire to win the match.
Post-match Lehecka credited his opponent after he defeated two British players in a row, including Jacob Fearnley, to reach the final.
“It means a lot,” said Lehecka, who is into his first grass court final. “You don’t meet a player like Jack every day, he’s an amazing competitor.”
