Jack Draper might be aiming to grow to be the primary British champion at Queen’s Membership since Andy Murray in 2016, however Carlos Alcaraz is about to be the headline act after celebrating his fifth Grand Slam title on the French Open.
Draper is at a career-high rating of fourth however faces a battle to carry that place forward of Wimbledon.
He selected to not defend the title he received in Stuttgart final 12 months, which means he’ll drop again beneath Novak Djokovic on Monday, whereas Taylor Fritz may even overtake him after a return to type this week.
Draper, who’s is among the many main contenders for the crown on the event which will get beneath manner on Monday, and fellow Brit Jacob Fearnley are in the primary draw by proper, with the latter securing his spot due to the withdrawals – which additionally embrace one other former champion in Matteo Berrettini – having beforehand been given a wild card.
HSBC Championships – First spherical
- Jack Draper (2) vs Jenson Brooksby (USA)
- Jacob Fearnley vs Qualifier
- Cam Norrie vs Jakub Mensik (CZE) (8)
- Billy Harris vs Gabriel Diallo (CAN)
- Dan Evans vs Frances Tiafoe (USA) (7)
Cameron Norrie and Dan Evans have additionally been given wild playing cards, however reigning champion Tommy Paul has pulled out.
Paul has an belly downside, whereas Italian Lorenzo Musetti, overwhelmed by the American within the ultimate final 12 months, continues to get well from a leg harm that compelled him to retire throughout his French Open semi-final towards Carlos Alcaraz and also will miss the occasion.
Reigning Wimbledon champion Alcaraz is again in motion on grass after celebrating his success in Paris final weekend.
He might be joined within the area by former finalist Queen’s finalist Norrie, who’s heading again up the rankings after a robust clay-court marketing campaign, veteran Evans and fellow British participant Billy Harris.
Draper kicks off his grass season with a primary spherical assembly with Jenson Brooksby.
The British No 1 may face Frances Tiafoe within the quarter-final and both reigning Eastbourne Open champion Taylor Fritz or fifth seed Alex de Minaur within the semis.
Alcaraz will face countryman Alejandro Davidovic Fokina in his first match on the grass. Looming in the identical quarter of the draw because the world No 2, is American star Ben Shelton.
Sinner struggling after lacking championship factors
Jannik Sinner suffered a heart-breaking defeat to Carlos Alcaraz within the French Open ultimate
Jannik Sinner admits it is going to be onerous to cease eager about the possibilities he missed in his epic French Open loss to Carlos Alcaraz.
The Italian held three consecutive match factors within the fourth set of final weekend’s conflict at Roland Garros, having additionally led by two units to like, just for Alcaraz to struggle again and declare a fifth grand slam title in what has been hailed as among the finest main finals of all time.
Each males are again in motion subsequent week, with Alcaraz prime seed at Queen’s, whereas Sinner will compete within the Terra Wortmann Open in Halle.
The world No 1 headed dwelling to Italy following the defeat however is hoping to search out some solace again on the match court docket.
He advised Tennis TV: “It was for sure a tough loss. I still think about these couple of points, and it won’t stop here, I know that.
“However, within the different manner, I am completely happy to be right here, I am completely happy to begin a brand new event. I believe this helps me to get once more into this match rhythm, and let’s have a look at how I will react.
“You can see the negative side but there is also a positive side. I’ve never played tennis on clay like this.
“I went to Rome, I made the ultimate there. I performed in Paris, I made the ultimate of a Grand Slam, so superb, and the extent now we have performed, me and Carlos, was extraordinarily excessive so I used to be completely happy to be part of this.”
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