Jack Draper 'obsessed' as Brit on Carlos Alcaraz collision course

Jack Draper says he is "obsessed" with progressing after sealing a top-four seeding at Wimbledon by reaching a home semi-final for the first time. And the British No.1 remains on course for a blockbuster final with No.1 seed Carlos Alcaraz at the HSBC Championships at Queen's Club. Draper was made to sweat in the sun by Brandon Nakashima yesterday before winning his quarter-final 6-4 5-7 6-4 to guarantee he will climb back to world No.4 in Monday's rankings.

Wimbledon seedings are based on these rankings and Draper will now avoid Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz or Alex Zverev before the semi-finals in SW19. Draper tried to play down the significance of the achievement in his post-match courtside interview by claiming: "I have to get to the semi-final first." But in his press conference, the big left-hander said: "I think it's a definite huge step for me. I remember last year going in (to the grass) ranked around 30 or 40.

"To be inside the top four come Wimbledon one year around, that's massive progress, a testament to my team, the dedication I have had for tennis, the work I have put in on a daily basis. I live and breathe the sport, and I'm obsessed with progressing and obsessed with becoming the player that I want to become all the time and achieve the things I want to.

"It's another step in the right direction. You know, Wimbledon, regardless of seeding, each match is very difficult, because obviously you've got loads of top players in the draw, a bit like this week. But it gives me confidence knowing I'm in that position and I'm going to be in the right place for that."

Draper started last year's grass-court season ranked No.40 but climbed up to No.28 by Wimbledon after winning the title in Stuttgart and then beating Alcaraz at Queen's Club. This year he joins the big boys at the All England Club. "I think the top 16 seeds get a better changing room," he said.

"There's some tournaments where it's top eight seeds, in the Masters 1000s I have had this year. But is different apart from just the fact that of, you know, maybe potentially not seeing Alcaraz or Sinner in the quarters, if I make it there. I think in terms of dressing room, it's top 16 seeds. Yeah, well inside of that now."

Draper has needed two three-set matches to reach the semi-finals here and admitted he has not always played "great tennis". He explained: "I think there is definitely glimpses of stuff. I think I'm serving pretty well. I think I could return a little bit better. I think my movement, obviously it's a big thing in tennis to start playing well is your movement. Definitely the first week on grass is pretty difficult.

"You know, in the past maybe I have had a couple of weeks, and last year I played Stuttgart and came here. So I think just the level of what I'm playing could be more consistent. Definitely better. I think it will come. You know, the more I practice, the more I play, I think I'm getting a little bit better each time.

"I don't know when it will come together, but still doing well to be in the semis. Day by day, we'll see." The son of the former LTA chief executive Roger is now two wins away from emulating his idol Andy Murray who won the Queen's Club title five times.

"I have always watched it on TV. Never trained here too much. Never spent loads of time. I do have photos on my phone with the trophy when I was, must have been 10. So maybe I come, I must have watched Andy play here a few times over the years. Not sure what matches it was.

"I think 2010, 2011 is when I came, but I can't remember it too much. But obviously, you know, it's always been a tournament that I have watched alongside with Wimbledon. Having Andy win here many years on the trot or whenever he did, just gave it a bit more of a special feeling to me.

"You know, it was always a big tournament obviously growing up, this one and Wimbledon. Eastbourne a little bit, as well, but mainly Queen's and Wimbledon.

"So to be in the semis, that obviously means a lot. I think to play here tomorrow, you know, it's a weekend, I think there's going to be even bigger buzz around the tournament. That will definitely give me more energy to keep on progressing, hopefully make the final."

But Alcaraz could be in his way in Sunday's final after the Spanish superstar extended the longest winning streak of his career to 16 games. The French Open champion needed three hours and 23 minutes to beat his fellow Spaniard Jaume Munar in the last 16. But it took only 80 minutes to beat Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech 7-5 6-4 to reach the last four.

"I am feeling much better than the first day," said the world No.2. "Every day I am trying to feel better. I am feeling great playing on grass."