Draper packs up Popyrin as Sabalenka pips Masarova

British second seed Jack Draper survived a scare to reach the Queen’s Club quarter-finals with a gritty 3-6, 6-2, 7-6 (7/5) win over Australia’s Alexei Popyrin on Wednesday.

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Draper was rocked by the world number 21 in the first set of the second-round tie at the Wimbledon warm-up event.

But the 23-year-old hit back to level the match before taking the final set tie-break to complete his comeback in a tense encounter lasting two hours and 13 minutes in searing heat in west London.

Earlier in his career, such a test of endurance would have been too much for Draper, but he believes he is made of sterner stuff these days.

Draper, who reached the US Open semi-finals last year, is hoping to make a strong run at Wimbledon this year after failing to get past the second round in his previous three appearance.

The Londoner has made the last 16 at both the Australian and French Opens this year, rising to sixth in the ATP rankings.