Jack Draper’s daunting Wimbledon draw was followed by disappointment at the Lexus Eastbourne Open as he suffered a semi-final exit at the hands of Ugo Humbert. The 24-year-old discovered on Friday morning he will face world No 7 Taylor Fritz in the first round at the All England Club after an injury-ravaged year left him unseeded. He was then denied a place in the final at Devonshire Park as he slipped to a 7-5 6-3 loss to sixth seed Humbert in an hour and 42
minutes. Latest scores, results and upcoming matchesDownload Sky Sports app for analysis, news and videoNot got Sky? Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract “It’s the best gift I could have today. Thanks so much for the birthday wishes,” Humbert said after the Eastbourne crowd sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to him following his win. “It’s nice to see Jack back on court. The level was really impressive and I was a bit lucky in the second set. I had [four] break points to save. I’m
super happy to be in the final.” While the defeat dashed Draper’s hopes of securing a maiden ATP title on home soil, he can take confidence from a promising week on grass following a year disrupted by injury. The former world No 4 had been bidding to reach a first final since losing to Casper Ruud at last year’s Madrid Open – the event which marked the start of a persistent problem with his racket arm. He had a chance to seize the initiative at
30-0 on Humbert’s serve in the opening game but neither player could find a breakthrough until the Frenchman converted his fourth break point to clinch the first set. Following straight-sets victories over Marcos Giron, Jack Pinnington Jones and Gabriel Diallo, Draper was faced with the prospect of having to come from behind for the first time in the tournament. He saw four break points come and go in a tight third game of the second set and then decisively failed to hold serve in game
six en route to suffering a first defeat since teaming up with new coach Andy Murray. World No 30 Humbert will play Belgium’s Zizou Bergs in Saturday’s final. Bergs, who is ranked 48th in the world, earlier extinguished the prospect of an all-British final in East Sussex by battling back from a set down to defeat lucky loser Toby Samuel 4-6 7-6 (7-5) 6-2. Despite his semi-final defeat, Samuel can reflect on a breakthrough showing on home soil. The 23-year-old, who had not won a
tour-level match prior to this week, has risen 19 spots to No 123 in the live rankings as a result of his run. Watch the ATP and WTA Tours, live on Sky Sports or stream with NOW and the Sky Sports app, giving Sky Sports customers access to over 50 per cent more live sport this year at no extra cost. Find out more here.
Jack Draper, Ugo Humbert, Eastbourne, Devonshire Park, Wimbledon draw, Taylor Fritz, Andy Murray, Zizou Bergs, Toby Samuel
So Fritz is gonna face him… cool I guess. Wimbledon bracket stuff is always confusing lol.
Happy birthday stuff aside, 7-5 6-3 seems like one of those matches where one break late ruins everything. Draper looked promising but injury year = excuse city.
Wait Draper lost to Humbert in Eastbourne but then Fritz plays him first round at Wimbledon? I thought Wimbledon draw happened already. Also Andy Murray coaching like magically fixes the racket arm? never makes sense to me.
Ugo Humbert getting sung happy birthday like that is kinda extra. And they say he was lucky in the second set with break points saved… so basically Draper choked and that’s it? Like the whole “injury-ravaged year” sounds convenient, tennis is just swings and luck half the time.