Lexus Eastbourne Open 2026: Jack Draper & Toby Samuel reach historic semi-finals
• 3 minute read
Former world No.4 Jack Draper and rising star Toby Samuel are both through to the Lexus Eastbourne Open semi-finals – making it two British players in the final four of the men’s singles.
Draper’s injury comeback took another impressive step forward as he brushed aside Canadian Gabriel Diallo 6-1, 6-4 to make the Eastbourne semi-final for a second time.
Samuel, meanwhile, continued his fairytale journey in Eastbourne with a 6-3, 6-4 win over eighth seed Juan Manuel Cerunolo – his first victory over a top-50 opponent.
The British lucky loser hadn’t won an ATP Tour match coming into this week and is now just one win away from reaching the final.
It’s the first time two Brits will compete in the semi-finals of this event since 1997, when it was previously held in Nottingham, and it’s only the seventh time it’s happened in ATP Tour history.
Draper put in arguably his best performance since his return from a knee injury against Diallo. The former US Open semi-finalist showed an incredible all-court game – dominating the baseline, showing great touch, and moving the big-serving Canadian across every blade of grass on court.
He finished with 22 winners to four unforced errors and a performance rating of 9/10 according to the statistics.
“It feels amazing, I love this tournament,” said 2022 semi-finalist, Draper. "I came here four years ago and hadn’t been back since, so even though I missed Queen’s last week and maybe wouldn’t have played here, I’m incredibly happy to be here and to get some matches under my belt.
“I’m really proud of my performance today. I thought it was a strong performance against a tough player."
Diallo looked to the serve and volley to disrupt Draper, but the Brit produced brilliant passing shots to break twice in the opening set.
Draper saw his early break in the second set overturned, after hitting a double fault, but managed to charge himself back up in the business end of the match. From 4-3 down, he won 12 of the following 13 points.
In only his first tournament back from injury, Draper is continuing to build his level and is feeling good in his body.
“I feel great,” Draper added. “It’s been a difficult year with injury setbacks, but I’m gaining more confidence in my body. Winning helps, obviously.
“It was a strong performance today, and each match has gone that way, so I’m hoping looking forward to tomorrow.”
For Samuel, it’s another landmark win after getting the late call-up to replace HSBC Championships winner Francisco Cerundolo.
It was only fitting that Samuel should beat Francisco’s brother to reach an ATP semi-final for the first time in his career.
It’s a well-earned reward for one of British tennis’s highest risers over the last 12 months. Since coming out of the US college system, Samuel has won two ATP Challenger events and is guaranteed a new career-high ranking next week inside the world’s top-125.
Samuel saved seven break points on his final two service games in the opening set and then only dropped four points on first serve in the second to see out a career-best win.
“I was pretty nervous in that last game,” Samuel said. “I’m happy to have got through that one, otherwise it would have been a bit tight the rest of the set.
“It’s been crazy, I’m so grateful to be in this situation here. It’s surreal, playing my first ATP event and making the semi-finals also.”
However, the British fans were denied an historic three players in the semi-finals after Jan Choinski lost to Zizou Bergs 6-3, 6-3.
Choinski was competing in his first ATP quarter-final at the age of 30 and is now set to break into the top-100 for the first time.
Draper and Samuel could only meet each other in the final now. Former Indian Wells champion Draper will play either Queen’s semi-finalist Ugo Humbert or Quentin Halys. Samuel will look to beat Belgium’s Bergs in the final four.
You can watch both semi-finals on Friday 26 June live on BBC digital services and the Tennis Channel.
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