\n<\/p>\n
Draper had got off to the perfect start against Nakashima with an early break but the rest of his day was far from straightforward.<\/p>\n
But, as he has increasingly been showing in a year that has taken him to a career-high fourth in the world, he manages to bring out his best tennis in the most difficult moments. <\/p>\n
From the second-serve ace that warded off a break to a brave drop shot at 15-40, Draper showed he is not afraid to take risks and this confident approach is paying off here. <\/p>\n
Having lost the second set to world number 32 Nakashima when he sent a forehand long, Draper tightened up on his errors in the third and broke serve in the seventh game with one of the stunning forehand winners that have become a hallmark of his game.<\/p>\n
He had thought he had sealed the game on the previous point with a backhand but the automatic line call of “out” had been drowned out by the crowd’s cheers. <\/p>\n
He had to save a break point while serving for the match at 5-4 but recovered to seal victory after two hours and 22 minutes, delivering a 14th ace during that final game.<\/p>\n
“I think at times I’ve not played some great tennis and in those moments I’ve just tried to believe in myself and I think that is where the confidence has come from,” Draper said.<\/p>\n
“Hopefully, I can carry on to the next round and get better.” <\/p>\n
On another sweltering day in the capital, Draper had kept cool with ice packs around his neck and thighs at the changeovers to give himself the best chance of reaching a 12th Tour-level semi-final and his fourth of the year.<\/p>\n
He will now play only his second last-four match on home soil after reaching the semi-finals at Eastbourne in 2022. <\/p>\n
His progress here will help his preparations for Wimbledon, which starts on 30 June, and the top-four seeding is a bonus for him going into the grass-court Grand Slam where he will be viewed as the great home hope. <\/p>\n
“Last year I went there [to Wimbledon] ranked 40th and now I’m fourth. To get to that position is an incredible feeling,” he said. “It is testament to the work me and my team have done and I am proud of that.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n