Lexus Eastbourne Open 2026: Jan Choinski becomes first British qualifier to reach quarter-finals
• 3 minute read
Jan Choinski booked his place in the quarter-finals of the Lexus Eastbourne Open with a victory over fellow British star Felix Gill – continuing his impressive form on the south coast.
Choinski battled past Gill – who had replaced four-time champion and top seed Taylor Fritz in the draw as a lucky loser – 6-4, 6-7(4), 6-2 to reach his first ATP quarter-final.
After losing the second set, Choinski was far more aggressive in the decider, hitting 13 winners and breaking the 24-year-old twice to deny him a first ATP win.
He becomes the first British qualifier to reach the men’s singles quarter-finals at Eastbourne. He joins Toby Samuel in the last eight, who secured his first ATP victory earlier today.
It’s Choinski’s fourth win at the Lexus Eastbourne Open already, with three top-100 victories against Yibing Wu, Marcos Giron, and former Canadian Open champion Alexei Popyrin.
In the next round, he will move on to face Belgian Zizou Bergs. Bergs came through in the second round after Daniel Altmaier retired in the second set.
“Every one of us who competes in these tournaments works very hard,” Choinski said about his achievements so far this tournament.
“I’ve done my very best to practice day in and day out with full commitment, and I’m just happy with how this week has gone so far.
“I’m looking forward to playing again tomorrow and seeing how far I can come.”
Reaching a quarter-final isn’t the only milestone Choinski has ticked off so far this week. His win over Gill should see him break into the top-100 for the first time.
For a player who has spent many years working his way steadily through the rankings, it’s a significant moment.
“It means the world,” he said. “Together with my family, my girlfriend who supports me every week, and my coach in Vienna, Gunther. I have to thank him for the last two years, we’ve been working really hard on every aspect of my game and we’ve come so far that I’ve broken the top-100.
“I’ve just turned 30, I’ve been working for this moment my whole career, for 20 years, and I’m just happy that it all worked out. It’s a milestone we’ve reached but I want more for sure.”
Choinski was thrown a very different challenge late in the day, with Gill stepping in to replace world No.7 Fritz in this year’s draw.
Both Brits are traditionally more at home on the clay courts, where they have had the most success in their careers.
The match had the feeling of a clay court battle, both players looking to step back and hot for long rallies to try and break down their opponent.
They stayed locked on serve until the final game of the opening set at 5-4, on Gill’s serve. Choinski opened with two passing winners before Gill made two forehand errors, handing the 30-year-old the set.
Gill saved match point in the second set with an ace before going on to seal a close tie-break – but Choinski responded positively.
In the third set, Choinski played far more on the front foot, taking the ball early and putting Gill under pressure. He broke the young Brit in the opening game and kept his foot on the gas.
He dropped just five points behind serve in the third set, closing out another important win in two hours and 17 minutes.
Choinski will play Bergs in the second match of the day on Court 1 on Thursday 25 June.
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