HSBC Championships 2025: Jack Draper narrowly beaten by Jiri Lehecka in semi-finals
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Jack Draper’s career-best run at the HSBC Championships has come to an end after a closely fought three set match against world No.30 Jiri Lehecka.
The British No.1 lost out 4-6, 6-4, 7-5 across two hours and nine minutes in the first semi-final of the day in front of a packed out Andy Murray Arena.
It’s been a positive start to the grass court season for the second seed, who earned his best result at the tournament and in an ATP event on home soil. He made it through two three set clashes on his way to the final four against Brandon Nakashima and Alexei Popyrin after breezing through his opening match against Jenson Brooksby.
No doubt, the support from the British crowds will continue with Draper into The Championships, Wimbledon, who will arrive in SW19 as a top-four seed following his return to the world No.4 spot when the rankings update on Monday.
“Yeah, I mean, obviously my best result here. I lost to a better player today on the day” Draper said after the match.
“A couple of shots here and there, and at this level you obviously can't do that. I felt like it was a solid week. I didn't play my best tennis, but at the same time, the improvements since last year - I gave myself a chance of being in the final tomorrow but didn't quite get over the line.
“I have really felt the home support. I think it's got more every match I played. That's something that really is an advantage and drives me on.”
Draper made a shaky start to the match, losing a break in the opening game which would ultimately prove decisive. From that point on, he steadied himself and held serve consistently despite landing just 46% of his first serves in the opening set. Still, the early break was enough for Lehecka to clinch the opening set.
The British No.1 picked his head up in the second – chasing down the Czech’s serve with four break point opportunities at 2-2 before going on to save two of his own. The 23-year-old managed to tighten up on serve - landing 82% of first serves and dropping just five points behind it as he held firm.
Sensing an opportunity to level up the scoreboard, Draper capitalised on a shaky final service game from the Czech as he broke to 15 to draw level.
You don’t beat a player like Jack every day, he’s an amazing competitor.
The 23-year-old looked more comfortable in third, asking questions of his opponent’s game as the trend of holding serve continued. The Brit navigated a tense moment at 5-4, with Lehecka applying the pressure on the return. Then, with momentum shifting in his favour, the Czech secured a crucial break in the penultimate game.
Frustration mounted for Draper as the mistakes crept in, and a long forehand sealed his fate - handing Lehecka his spot in the final four.
The Czech world No.30 will face the winner of the second semi-final between top seed Carlos Alcaraz and his compatriot Roberto Bautista Agut.
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