All eyes have been on Draper this week as he takes on the stress of being the nice British hope with Wimbledon approaching on the finish of this month.
The 23-year-old has stated he’s snug coping with that weight of expectation, and underlined that perception with this battling show.
He did, nevertheless, begin slowly as a run of 11 consecutive factors for Popyrin – briefly interrupted by an sudden sudden gust of wind that despatched a hat and bits of paper on to the courtroom – led to the Australian taking the primary set.
It was the second match in a row the place Draper has taken his time to get into his groove and he revealed he had been struggling a bit with sickness this week.
“I’ve not been feeling nice truly, to be trustworthy, the final day and a half,” he advised BBC Sport.
“I used to be a bit flat on the market. My physique feels good however I used to be a bit underneath the climate.”
Draper may have his eyes firmly set on claiming a maiden title at Queen’s however he may have one other incentive to maintain progressing as reaching the semi-finals will imply he’s seeded fourth at Wimbledon.
That will imply avoiding dealing with the likes of defending champion Carlos Alcaraz and world primary Jannik Sinner.
“It is clearly a giant factor,” Draper stated. “I feel it might undoubtedly assist. However on the similar time, I do not assume I’ll take into consideration that in any respect.
“I am unable to management who I am taking part in, cannot management any of these issues, however I can management what I do between now and the following match, and I am going to put together the very best I can.”
