Fellow Americans Tommy Paul and Taylor Fritz are the only two seeds remaining in advance of quarterfinal competition at Queen’s Club on Friday. Next up for them, respectively, are Jack Draper and Jordan Thompson.
Jack Draper vs. (5) Tommy Paul
Paul probably figured that Carlos Alcaraz would be on the other side of the net on Friday, but instead the 13th-ranked American will be facing Draper in the Cinch Championships quarterfinals. Draper took down Alcaraz 7-6(3), 6-3 in the second round on Thursday. Yes, it was a big upset since the 21-year-old Spaniard was the top seed and defending champion, is No. 2 player in the world, and won Wimbledon last summer. Then again, it wasn’t a huge shock given Draper’s scorching-hot form and the fact that he has home-court advantage this week at Queen’s Club. The 31st-ranked Brit captured the Stuttgart title last week and his seven-match winning streak also includes a 6-3, 6-2 defeat of Mariano Navone on Wednesday.
This marks the fifth meeting between these two players, with Draper leading the head-to-head series 3-1 (all on outdoor hard courts). They have already squared off three times in 2024; Draper prevailed in Adelaide and Acapulco, while Paul got the job done 6-2, 3-6, 6-3, 7-5 at the Australian Open. The 27-year-old is a stellar 24-10 for his 2014 campaign following Queen’s Club victories of Sebastian Baez and Alejandro Tabilo–both in easy straight sets. Although the outcome will be on Draper’s racket, he is always a bit of a physical question mark and playing seven matches in a little more than a week is tough on the body. Following up such a big win just 24 hours later is also no easy task. This is a great opportunity for Paul to advance and eventually secure a spot in his second grass-court final in the last 12 months (previously Eastbourne in 2023).
Pick: Paul in 3
Jordan Thompson vs. (4) Taylor Fritz
Fritz and Thompson will be going head-to-head for the third time in their careers on Friday. Both of their previous encounters have gone Fritz’s way; 5-7, 6-2, 6-2 in 2017 Acapulco qualifying and 6-3, 6-3 last summer in Washington, D.C.
Thompson was dealt a difficult first-round draw but managed to upset Holger Rune 4-6, 7-6(4), 6-3. The 43rd-ranked Austrian then got lucky in the form of a first-set retirement from Andy Murray that might as well have been a walkover, as the 37-year-old Scot was injured before that match even started. Fritz earned his place in the last eight by beating Taro Daniel and Milos Raonic in straight sets. This will almost certainly be competitive given Thompson’s prowess on grass, but Fritz should improve to 3-0 in the matchup.
Pick: Fritz in 3