Jack Draper is into the semi-finals of Queen’s, having seen off an inspired Brandon Nakashima in three sets.
And, in reaching this round, the Brit has secured a top-four seeding spot at Wimbledon, meaning he will avoid one of the world’s best until at least the semi-finals there.
It marks a huge moment for the 23-year-old, who has put himself in the best possible position to enjoy a deep run at the All-England Club.
What was arguably most impressive about Jack Draper’s win today came not from the quality he exhibited, but instead his mindset.
In fact, he made one key switch mid-way through the third set which left John Lloyd stunned.
Jack Draper makes crucial mid-match change vs Brandon Nakashima
Sat beside Andrew Cotter on commentary duty, it had been a tough hour for Draper.
He had lost the second set, and it really seemed like Nakashima was in the ascendancy, holding easily and testing the serve of his hometown opponent.
And yet, at 3-3 in the third, something changed.
It was almost like he self-administered a jolt of energy, as he celebrated every point and roared the crowd into action. In the end, he broke, and that proved fatal for Nakashima.
Lloyd chuckled as he claimed: ‘‘This amazes me. This game of tennis. Nakashima has been the one that’s really been pushing more in terms of keeping depth and striking the ball, keeping Draper off balance and it looked like he was slightly sort of ahead and then in one game as Draper changes around. A switch.
‘He just switched, and all of a sudden it was like, I’m going to be more aggressive, I’m gonna take a few more chances, and all of a sudden his ground strokes just pushed Nakashima back and gave Draper no time to react.
‘That last shot was just a typical Draper shot these days. He gets an opportunity and he just goes for it and makes it.’
Cotter then chimed in: ’As you said, how strange it is in tennis sometimes when all in the momentum is going one way, and it turns like that, for whatever reason, what went on in Jack Draper’s head there and he’s afforded that he suddenly felt good, he stepped off the power, the noise, and suddenly his shots are the winners.’
Andy Roddick outlined the biggest improvement he’s seen in Draper recently. Add mental fortitude to that list.
Jack Draper confirmed to be the fourth seed at Wimbledon
As noted earlier, Draper is now confirmed to be the fourth seed at Wimbledon.
That means that Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev will all be in opposite parts of the draw, making the semi-finals their first potential meeting point.
But, as the Brit rightly pointed out in his post-match interview, he has to get there first. He still has this tournament to finish!
On track to challenge for the Queen’s title, this week has seen Draper struggle at times, failing to play his very best tennis.
And yet, as Lloyd mentions, he conjures that champion’s spirit to pull him through. This mindset will serve him well when challenging for the elite honours, especially at his home Grand Slam.
