HSBC Championships 2025: Jack Draper fights into quarter-finals while Dan Evans falls short
• 2 MINUTE READ
Jack Draper came through a gruelling three set match to move through to the quarter-finals, while Dan Evans bowed out in a tight second round defeat on day three at the HSBC Championships.
The British No.1 fought back from a set down to defeat Australia’s Alexei Popyrin 3-6, 6-2, 7-6(7) across two hours and 16 minutes in the blistering heat on the Andy Murray arena.
His victory now sees him become the fourth Brit to reach more than three Queen’s Club quarter-finals in the Open Era.
Dan Evans was hoping to join Draper in the final eight but couldn't make it past America's Brandon Nakashima as he lost out 5-7, 6-7(7) in one hour and 57 minutes.
It was a tough match for the Brit, but he was boosted by the support he received from The Queen’s Club crowd, which included some familiar faces.
“There are days when I need that extra support, today was one of them” Draper reflected. “It was a tough match and credit to Alexei - he played some amazing tennis. It was a bit up and down but you guys (the crowd) definitely helped me through that so thank you I appreciate it.
“I think he’s gone to the beer tent but my grandad (is here) - he’s got his hat backwards over there, he’s filming it. My family is here, my friends are here - I love being at home and playing in front of my family and friends. It’s an emotional moment for me honestly.”
The 23-year-old is still adjusting to the new surface after a breakthrough clay court season that saw him finish runner-up at the Madrid Open and make it to the fourth round of Roland Garros.
I’m feeling better each time I get through these matches, it’s going to give me a lot of confidence. One more under the belt and we go again on Thursday or Friday.
The Indian Wells champion started strong but struggled to capitalise on the four break point opportunities he created in the opening set.
On the other side of the net, the Australian world No.21 needed just one chance to secure the breakthrough. The British No.1 threatened to bite back but Popyrin reeled off 11 points in a row and saved two break points on his way to taking a one set lead.
As the mistakes began to creep into the Australian’s game, the world No.6 turned up the heat in the second, making the most of his two break point opportunities late in the set to level the match in just over half an hour.
There wasn’t much to separate the two players in the decider and we eventually headed into a tie-break after Draper let two match points slip away from him.
Spurred on by a sea of home fans in the stands of the Andy Murray Arena, the Brit fought back from 4-2 down to draw level before edging his nose in front as he launched a backhand deep into the court.
Staring at a third match point, Draper slammed down his 14th ace of the day to book his place in the quarter-finals.
Draper will contest his quarter-final match against Nakashima on Friday 20 June.
Evans was hoping to join the British No.1 in what would’ve been an all-British quarter-final, however, the 35-year-old fell short in a tight battle against former Next Gen champion Nakashima.
Heading into the match, Nakashima led the Brit 3-1 in their head to head, including in the first round at The Queen’s Club last year where Evans was forced to retire.
Evans struggled to find his first serve in the opener, landing just 39% but despite the inconsistency, he still managed to stay close to the American.
Serving to stay in the set at 5-6 and force a tie-break, the nerves soon began to get to Evans, who kick-started the ninth game with a double fault. In a blink of an eye, the Brit fell 30-0 down after Nakashima slapped a backhand down the line followed by a crosscourt forehand to take the opening set.
The American kept his foot on the gas pedal early in the second as he quickly lept to a 3-1 lead. Evans has spent the last few months competing on the ATP Challenger Tour and has barely played an opponent of the same calibre as Nakashima and Frances Tiafoe - who he beat in the first round.
However, the grass court season has always brought out the best in Evans, who refused to let his head drop. The former Washington Open champion managed to bring up two break points at 3-2 down before capitalising on his opportunity with a backhand volley which Nakashima netted.
Into a tie-break and it was the world No.32 who clinched the mini-break as Evans drifted a backhand wide before netting a volley to send Nakashima into his 19th ATP quarter-final.
Our event partners
Official broadcast partners
Official tour partners
