Lexus Eastbourne Open 2026: Jack Draper continues strong comeback to reach quarter-finals
• 3 minute read
Former world No.4 Jack Draper’s impressive comeback continues after he overcame fellow British star Jack Pinnington Jones to reach the quarter-finals at the Lexus Eastbourne Open.
Draper continued his winning return to action by clinching another straight sets victory over compatriot and good friend Pinnington Jones - winning 7-5, 6-4 to reach the final eight in Eastbourne for the second time in as many appearances.
After clinching the opening set, Draper instantly broke Pinnington Jones in the opening game and stayed rock solid on serve to close out the win with little trouble.
The victory now sees Draper advance to his 23rd career ATP quarter-final, and the fifth on British soil, following runs to the final eight at the HSBC Championships (2021, 2024 & 2025) and Eastbourne (2022).
He also became the third British man to reach the quarter-finals at Devonshire Park after lucky loser Toby Samuel and qualifier Jan Choinski booked their tickets early today.
“Jack’s a great friend, so it’s tough playing against a good friend,” Draper said on playing one of his best friends. “He’s still young, he came out of college recently and he’s been building his way up the rankings, he’s nearly in the top 100.
“He’s someone I think is going to be a top player and I think he showed that today. It was really tough to play against him, he’s a great competitor and I wish him all the best.”
For Draper, is another step in the right direction after what has been a physically and mentally challenging 12 months injury-wise.
Having only played 10 matches so far this season, the three-time ATP titleholder is pleased with how quickly he’s managed to find his level on the match court and will look to build on his opening two wins heading into the rest of the grass court season and beyond.
“My confidence levels were below the floor a couple of weeks ago,” he admitted. “I hadn’t played in a long time, I wasn’t match fit.
“I didn’t play Queen’s because I just wasn’t ready so to come here, to be on court and competing and playing at a high level very quickly I’m very grateful. I look forward to coming out here tomorrow, I love Eastbourne so I appreciate it.
“Physically, I’ve spent a long time off the court with injury. I was on a great trajectory last year, being at a career high ranking of 4 and my body stopped me in my tracks.
"Right now it's about coming out each day, being consistent with my practice, trying to get as many matches under my belt to where my confidence needs to be and hopefully rising up the rankings once again.”
Draper had plenty of success on his backhand today - generating a backhand shot quality of 9.2 against the tour average of 7. The 24-year-old consistently struck the ball deep into the baseline, forcing errors out of Pinnington Jones to move into a 3-1 lead.
Three key stats
- All-out attack - Draper was in attack on 36% of points compared to Pinnington Jones' 24%
- Quality backhand - Draper's bankhand shot quality was 9.2/10 across the match
- Consistency was key - Draper only missed four backhands in the whole match
Having missed the chance to serve for the set at 5-4, the 2025 Indian Wells champion immediately reclaimed the advantage before sealing the set.
Draper maintained the pressure early in the second. A double fault from the world No.145 set up an early opportunity for the former US Open semi-finalist, who sent an unreturnable forehand onto the baseline.
Pinnington Jones managed to save two match points before Draper eventually got over the line after an hour and 31 minutes and punched his ticket to the final eight.
In the next round, Draper will play Gabriel Diallo for a place in his first semi-final on the south coast. It will mark a career-first meeting between the British and Canadian stars.
Draper will contest his quarter-final match in the third match of the day on Centre Court on Thursday 25 June.
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