Carlos Alcaraz was again made to sweat on Centre Court before booking a quarter-final spot with a 6-3 6-4 1-6 7-5 win over stubborn 16th seed Ugo Humbert.
Having fought back from two sets to one down to defeat Frances Tiafoe in the previous round, Alcaraz seemed to be enjoying a much easier time of it as he stormed the opening two sets, only for Humbert to produce some sublime tennis thereafter.
The Frenchman too would have felt aggrieved to lose the second set, in fact, as he squandered four break points on Alcaraz’s serve in the fifth game. And then, having only coughed up four points all set on his own serve, Humbert was suddenly broken out of nowhere to lose the set 6-4.
Alcaraz vs Humbert: Tale of the Tape
Alcaraz
Match Stats
Humbert
14
Aces
10
6
Double Faults
1
66%
1st serve win percentage
67%
43%
2nd serve win percentage
47%
24/34
Net points won
26/41
6/8
Break points won
5/13
45
Total winners
47
33
Unforced errors
35
121
Total points won
117
He was not to be deterred, though, as he proceeded to break the Alcaraz serve on four straight occasions over the course of a dominant third set and early into the fourth.
The defending champion appeared to have no answer for Humbert’s immaculate return game, the 16th seed hitting thumping winners with regularity and mixing in the odd heavy ball to the back of the baseline to do for the flat-footed Spaniard.
That said, Alcaraz himself twice broke Humbert to start the fourth set, but things were back on serve by the end of the sixth game as the determined Humbert continued to dig his heels into the Centre Court grass.
More thunderous groundstrokes off the left-hander’s racket helped set up three break points in the eighth game of the fourth set but, as in the second, a wasteful Humbert would ultimately rue spurning every single one of them as three games later it would be Alcaraz who’d earn the crucial break before serving things out.
Paul wins to set up Alcaraz quarter-final showdown
American 12th seed Tommy Paul raced against the fading light on Court Two to dispatch of Spanish veteran Roberto Bautista Agut 6-2 7-6 (7-3) 6-2 and set up a quarter-final clash with Alcaraz.
Image: Tommy Paul is in good form, having triumphed at Queen’s in the lead up to Wimbledon
The 27-year-old took just over two hours to beat Bautista Agut who was bidding to reach his second Wimbledon quarter-final in his 10th appearance here.
Paul, whose grass game is finely tuned after he won the Queen’s Club warm-up event last month, had just too much power and variety for the 36-year-old, now ranked 112.
Bautista Agut made the American work in the second set but a couple of unforced errors lost him the chance to draw level and Paul raced through the final set, clinching the match with an ace.
The players had arrived on court late because of rain showers and the shadows were long across the court when they finished.
“He (Alcaraz) plays amazing tennis on grass but I’m playing pretty good too,” said Paul, who is on a nine-match winning streak. They have split their four previous career meetings, winning two each.
Elsewhere in the men’s singles, world No 5 Daniil Medvedev advanced through to the last eight after 10th seed Grigor Dimitrov was forced to retire with a leg injury while trailing 5-3 in the first set.
He will face world No 1 Jannik Sinner next after the Italian made light work of promising American youngster Ben Shelton, beating the 14th seed in straight sets 6-2 6-4 7-6 (11-9).
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Supercomputer’s favourites face hosts in heavyweight quarter-final
Spain have become the supercomputer’s favourites to win Euro 2024 but they face their biggest test so far on Friday as they take on hosts Germany in a mouth-watering quarter-final.
There is no doubt Spain have been the most convincing team at the tournament. Luis de la Fuente’s side have a 100 per cent record with Robin Le Normand’s own goal in the 4-1 last-16 win over Georgia the only goal they have conceded so far.
Such is Spain’s fluidity that they had 35 shots against Georgia – the most in a match at either the World Cup (since 1966) or Euros (since 1980).
La Roja have been an exciting watch and are everything England should be with their attacking talent clicking. But their opponents on Friday night in Stuttgart possess the weapons to hurt them and a midfield to rival them.
Germany have not quite hit the heights of Spain but Julian Nagelsmann’s side have shown glimpses of their electrifying quality with Jamal Musiala at the heart of it.
Stuttgart set for Euros classic?
The tournament’s two highest-scoring teams meet in Stuttgart, with Germany on 10 goals to Spain’s eight.
Spain’s 82 shots also lead the way while Germany’s Jamal Musiala is level with the Netherlands’ Cody Gakpo – and eliminated pair Ivan Schranz and Georges Mikautadze – atop the Golden Boot standings.
This is surprisingly Die Mannschaft’s first quarter-final at a major competition for eight years, but expectations will be high as the host nation.
And that home advantage could well give Germany the edge in what has been a tight affair in recent years between these two sides, with their last five meetings producing one win for each team and three draws.
It does feel like that whoever wins this heavyweight last-eight clash could well go on to win the whole thing. Declan Olley
Will Kroos delay retirement?
Image: Toni Kroos lifted the World Cup with Germany in 2014 and has won the Champions League six times
A 34-year-old Toni Kroos has rolled back the years in the Germany engine room this summer, but now he meets his toughest opponent with retirement on the line.
Kroos has made the most successful passes (386) with a 95 per cent completion rate and has created the second-most chances at the tournament. He has been untouchable.
Robert Andrich plays the enforcer role alongside him with 11 tackles and eight fouls placing him among Euro 2024’s toughest midfielders, while the silky Ilkay Gundogan brings guile and composure in between the lines.
Image: Kroos and Robert Andrich form the base of Germany’s midfield
The Germany midfield is balanced nicely, although, with a combined age of 96, the younger Spain trio can stretch their creaking legs.
Rodri anchors the midfield like he does at Manchester City with Pedri and Fabian Ruiz playing ahead of him, feeding the wingers and breaking into the box.
Image: Fabian Ruiz has shone in the Spain midfield
Ruiz has been particularly impressive, scoring and assisting in two of his three games and having eight shots – the most of any midfielder. He does his fair share of dirty work too, winning possession the second-most at the tournament (29).
There would be no shame in Kroos’ illustrious career ending against this opposition. He is playing well enough to stop it from happening though. David Richardson
Yamal and Williams give Spain wings
Image: Nico Williams has been among Euro 2024’s standouts
Spain have been enjoying the calm before the storm.
With three tournament wins each, they and Germany are the most successful nations in European Championship history, but the prospect of Friday’s showdown was put on the backburner this week as De la Fuente took his squad out to the tranquil setting of the Black Forest.
Image: Williams became the first player at the European Championship to score a goal, assist another and complete 100 per cent of his passes (46/46) in a game he started
Blocking out a growing cacophony surrounding the exploits of their enterprising young wingers will prove difficult, however.
The 4-1 victory over Georgia was the first time since Italy were hammered 4-0 in the Euro 2012 final that Spain have won a knockout-stage game in normal time at a major tournament, but the reason they have now been installed as favourites of this edition is down in large part to two young men.
Image: Lamine Yamal has provided two assists already – the first teenager to assist multiple goals at an edition of the European Championship since Cristiano Ronaldo at Euro 2004
How Spain became more vertical under De la Fuente
Spain, for so long the benchmark for possession and passing football, rank only fourth in those categories among the quarter-finalists this time around to emphasise the evolution in their style.
Luis de la Fuente’s side have completed 2,281 of 2,578 passes but those numbers trail Portugal (2,558 of 2,953), England (2,470 of 2,837) and Germany (2,451 of 2,745) – with the caveat that Portugal and England both needed extra-time in the last 16.
Lamine Yamal was heavily tipped to shine over the course of the month but Nico Williams’ star has reached new heights. His performances have already reportedly attracted interest from Chelsea, although Spanish publication SPORT claims the Athletic Bilbao winger would prefer a move to Barcelona.
“They are playing at a very high level,” Mikel Oyarzabal said of the pair. “They’re making a difference for us and that’s positive for the team. They’re different, it’s getting more and more difficult to find players like them. They’re young, they’re fearless, they’re going to do what they have to no matter the rival.”
Germany have Musiala – the joint-top scorer on three goals – and Florian Wirtz to call on, so this is also the clash of the wonderkids. Spain will look to their two precocious wide talents to deliver another display full of skill and swagger. Ben Grounds
France and Portugal need their shooting boots on
The best forwards in the world on either side, France vs Portugal has all the makings of being a classic fixture. Or does it?
Incredibly, a France player is still yet to score from open play in this tournament so far. Les Bleus’ top scorer at this Euros is ‘Own Goal’ with two.
Can Ronaldo finally get off the mark?
France are yet to score from open play, with two own-goals and a penalty seeing them this far, while Cristiano Ronaldo’s 20 efforts on goal for Portugal are more than any other player in the tournament but he has failed to find the net.
That includes an extra-time penalty saved by Slovenia’s Jan Oblak on Monday night, though Ronaldo did score in the shoot-out that followed – in which Diogo Costa saved all three Slovenia attempts, a European Championship record.
Portugal, meanwhile, are not much better. They come into this game having failed to score in the last two and have statistically the most wasteful player in the tournament so far in their talisman and captain.
Cristiano Ronaldo has produced the most shots in the tournament so far with 20, but is still yet to score. His negative xG differential of -2.75 is the worst record in the competition too. Second in the list is France’s Antoine Griezmann, who is also without a goal despite producing 1.92 of xG.
With Kylian Mbappe also showing signs of wastefulness, both teams could do with getting their shooting boots on – as the games are getting bigger and the margins are getting smaller. Sam Blitz
Saliba key for France after winning over Deschamps
Image: William Saliba was a surprise inclusion in the France XI for Euro 2024 but his performances have not disappointed
France’s goal stats are not the sort you would associate with potential champions, but at the other end of the pitch, their extremely robust defence – which has conceded just one goal, a penalty from Robert Lewandowski – gives them every chance.
At the heart of that defence is a player that many did not even expect to start at this tournament.
Didier Deschamps was expected to start Dayot Upamecano alongside Ibrahima Konte at the heart of the France defence, but William Saliba finally got his chance, won over Deschamps and is starring for Les Blues, who are yet to concede from open play at the tournament.
This will not be a surprise for Arsenal supporters and watchers of the Premier League. Saliba has been a vital cog in Mikel Arteta’s side over the past two season. His injury towards the end of the 2022/23 campaign was pushed by many as a reason for the Gunners’ failure to get over the line and win the Premier League title.
Image: Saliba shackled Romelu Lukaku brilliantly in the last 16
William Saliba’s first half by numbers vs Belgium…
100% pass accuracy (33/33)
2 x possession won
2 clearances
1 interception
0 possession lost
0 fouls
He has now transferred his club form to the national stage and his performance up against Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku in the last 16 was Saliba at his dominating best. He showed every one of the qualities he possesses up against the physical Lukaku.
He won everything in the air, showed he was up for the physical battle, read the game superbly and on the ball, his passing was superb. Lukaku, a thorn in the side of so many over the years, never had a sniff.
A new challenge now awaits Saliba with Ronaldo next up to battle the 23-year-old, but it would be no shock to see France’s surprise package shackle Portugal’s talisman and lead France into the last four. Oliver Yew
Real’s new Galactico takes on their greatest ever in battle of the misfiring forwards
Frustration in front of goal has been the main theme of France and Portugal’s Euro 2024 as both sides gear up to face each other in Hamburg.
Image: Kylian Mbappe has found it hard to breathe while wearing his protective mask at Euro 2024
Those struggles in front of goal have best been summed up by the off-colour displays of the two country’s captains, Mbappe and Ronaldo, giants of the game who have scored just once between them so far in the tournament and even that was a penalty from the France forward.
Mbappe, who joins Real Madrid from Paris Saint-Germain this summer, six years after Ronaldo departed the Santiago Bernabeu, has scored 48 goals in 82 appearances for Les Bleus and a mind-boggling 256 times in just 308 appearances before leaving the French capital.
After breaking his nose in France’s opening group-stage win over Austria, though, Mbappe has since been required to wear a protective mask over his face, something his manager Didier Deschamps says he is still “getting used to”.
And if France are to get their hands back on the Henri Delaunay Trophy for the first time since 2000, you feel their masked man will need to start firing up front, starting against a Portugal team whose own main man has also been misfiring in attack in Germany this summer.
Image: A tearful Cristiano Ronaldo after Portugal’s penalty shootout win over Slovenia in the last 16
Ronaldo’s 20 efforts on goal for the 2016 champions are more than any other player in the tournament and the 39-year-old has failed to find the net as yet.
That includes an extra-time penalty saved by Slovenia’s Jan Oblak on Monday night, though a tearful Ronaldo did score in the shootout that followed.
Ronaldo has already confirmed to O Jogo this “is, without doubt, my last Euros” and having scored in every one of the other tournaments he has featured in, the forward will be desperate to continue that run against France in what could come down to a battle between one former Real great and a potential future Madrid star. Richard Morgan
England vs Switzerland – Saturday (Dusseldorf, 5pm)
Why England must be wary of dark horses Switzerland
Switzerland are without question the tournament’s dark horses. They have mustered just 46 attempts at goal, with Saturday’s opponents England the only team to register less shots than them at Euro 2024 (45).
Meanwhile, Switzerland’s passes (1,543 completed of 1,872) and completion percentage (82.4) are the lowest of the eight quarter-finalists and they are also the only remaining team with less than 50 per cent possession in their games so far (46.8).
But they are undefeated and have proved their credentials at this tournament, earning wins against Hungary and well-fancied Italy. Bologna striker Dan Ndoye could be one for England to watch, with the 23-year-old enhancing his burgeoning reputation with a goal against host nation Germany. Dev Trehan
Netherlands vs Turkey – Saturday (Berlin, 8pm)
Baby-faced assassin Guler epitomising Turkey’s unrelenting energy
Image: Arda Guler’s rise to prominence is as much a story of resilience and hard work as it is about natural ability
Having arrived at Fenerbahce aged just 13, Arda Guler was hailed as the ‘Turkish Messi’. At Euro 2024, he is making a name for himself.
The start to his Real Madrid career was blighted by a knee injury, but he returned stronger to become the youngest player to score on their European Championship debut with his goal-of-the-tournament contender in Turkey’s opening group game against Georgia – breaking a record held by Ronaldo.
Mert Gunok set for another busy night?
Turkey have faced comfortably the most shots on their goal of any quarter-finalist, 59 after Austria’s barrage of 21 on Tuesday.
There is a self-confidence and maturity to Guler behind his restless, indomitable will to win on the grandest stage. Through the heavy rain, the hostility and the hailstorm of beer cups, it was 19-year-old who conducted a masterpiece in how to embrace the pressure against Austria.
Head coach Vincenzo Montella said it took ‘soul’ to reach the last eight, and with their partisan supporters now descending on Berlin, the Brandenburg Gate will be painted red. The momentum is reminiscent of how Morocco reached the World Cup semi-finals in Qatar.
One of Turkey’s greatest strengths is an intangible, unrelenting energy from the stands, but their 18 yellow cards to date is only one shy of a tournament record. Montella will look to Guler to provide a calming influence.
With Xavi Simons playing so well centrally for the Netherlands against Romania, this quarter-final could again demonstrate how Germany ’24 has been the Championship owned by the next generation of playmakers before their time. Ben Grounds
Red-hot Gakpo carrying on where he left off for Liverpool
Netherlands forward Cody Gakpo heads into Saturday night’s quarter-final clash with Turkey in Berlin as the joint-leading goalscorer at Euro 2024, although that will not come as any surprise to Liverpool fans.
That is because Gakpo also finished last season in impressive form for Jurgen Klopp’s side and was one of the few standout players in the stuttering end to the Reds’ league campaign, contributing two goals and two assists in their last six Premier League games.
Image: Cody Gakpo celebrates his opener against Romania
The 25-year-old has continued where he left off for Liverpool, scoring three and assisting another in the Oranje’s passage through to the last eight, meaning he and Musiala, who also has three goals to his name, are the favourites to win the tournament’s Golden Boot.
As Gakpo continues to light up Euro 2024, take a look back at our picks of his best Liverpool goals in the Premier League
Gakpo has been a real threat so far at the Euros cutting in from his starting position on the left-hand side of the Netherlands’ front three, from where he has scored all his goals, including a 121km-per-hour strike that flew past Romania goalkeeper Florin Nita at his near post to open the scoring in Tuesday’s last-16 win in Munich.
Image: Gakpo’s first goal at the Euros came as he equalised against Austria
All of which means Gakpo has now joined former greats Johnny Rep (1974 and 1978 World Cups) and Dennis Bergkamp (Euro 1992 and World Cups in 1994 and 1998) as just the third Netherlands international to score three or more goals in two major tournaments after also netting three times at the 2022 World Cup.
In fact, across the past two international tournaments, the only European with more goals than Gakpo’s six in nine games is Mbappe, who has nine in 10 matches. Richard Morgan
Gary Neville claims there must be dramatic changes both to England’s system and personnel if they are to progress at Euro 2024 after a late, late show prevented a disastrous last-16 exit at the hands of Slovakia.
Jude Bellingham’s stoppage-time stunner saved Gareth Southgate’s England from an embarrassing loss as the Euro 2024 hopefuls fought back to win 2-1 after extra-time.
A summer that promised so much looked set to end in heartbreak and humiliation for a team that went within a penalty shoot-out of winning the last edition three years ago.
Image: Harry Kane put England in front in the first minute of extra-time
Ivan Schranz put wily, well-drilled Slovakia on course for their biggest win as an independent nation, only for Bellingham to leave jaws on the floor and disbelieving players on the deck in Gelsenkirchen.
The midfielder’s overhead kick five minutes into stoppage-time sent the match to extra-time, with captain Harry Kane’s header seeing Southgate’s side through this tricky last-16 clash.
Sam Allardyce says England have looked at “sixes and sevens” since the kick-off and need to recover from the “big big blow” of going a goal behind to Slovakia.
Speaking as a pundit on ITV, Neville said: “Sweet Caroline doesn’t sound very sweet. Relief is the word of the day. We’ve been very lucky and we should thank our lucky stars. We were woeful and we’ve been woeful now for four games.
“Not even in extra-time have we played particularly well. We drew Slovakia onto us and they were unlucky at the end.
Sam Allardyce says Gareth Southgate must take responsibility for England’s first half performance against Slovakia but the players are not showing their quality
“We’ve got to change something dramatically now. I’ve played with Gareth Southgate and I know him. He’s a great guy and he’s got massive integrity, but he will realise tonight that he was so close to the edge. Very close to the edge.
“Everyone in the country has been crying out for more change in every single match – from game one, two, three and I think the same clamour will happen again, for Palmer, Alexander-Arnold and for other players to come into the team to create more balance and excitement.
“Getting over the line and winning is all-important in tournaments, but if you think you can go through a month of a tournament playing like we are doing and get through it to the end, I think is unrealistic.”
Jude Bellingham scored a glorious overhead kick in the 95th minute to take England’s game against Slovakia into extra-time and spark scenes of celebration across the country
Switzerland await in the quarter-finals on Saturday and England will look to build on the spirit shown towards the end of a match that had looked set to end in a result akin to Iceland at Euro 2016.
Southgate has overseen vast improvements since taking over shortly after that tournament eight years ago, but the pressure and scrutiny will be as hot as ever after squeaking into the last eight and onto his 100th match at the helm.
Speaking alongside Neville on ITV, Roy Keane said: “It [the win] hasn’t really solved anything. You can talk about performances, but at this level it is about getting over the line and winning.
Sam Allardyce was full of praise for substitute Ivan Toney after his headed assist for Harry Kane’s goal which gave England a 2-1 lead over Slovakia
“Everyone wants a great performance, but if they keep getting results and going through… the next game will be tough but let’s see how they go.
“You have to give them praise as we were really critical at half-time but they found a way to win. The top players found a moment.
“God help us if Bellingham starts playing well. They had two huge moments and they got themselves over the line. Credit where it’s due.”
Bellingham: It’s a great feeling
Jude Bellingham reflects on England’s dramatic victory over Slovakia and his superb overhead kick that kept England in the competition
England midfielder Jude Bellingham speaking to UEFA:
“You’re 30 seconds away from going home, feeling like you’ve let your nation down, and one kick of the ball and everything’s great. It’s a feeling I don’t want to be in, but when it comes, it’s a great feeling.
“Playing for England is a great thing, but it’s a lot of pressure as well. Being on the pitch and scoring goals for me is a release, it’s a very happy moment.”
On his last-gasp equaliser: “It’s got to be up there. There’s a few nice ones, ones that mean a lot to me personally, but his one was so important, both for today and the mood change if it doesn’t happen. It’s right up there.
“It’s 20 or 30 seconds until we’re out of the European Championship and the mood now is a massive difference, and what it can do for the team going forward. It’s a massive moment, but it’s a long tournament and we’ll only know it if we go on to win the cup. We’ll decide in the next two weeks how important it is.”
Emma Raducanu saved a match point on her way to beating a top-10 player for the first time in her career as she came from behind to defeat world No 5 Jessica Pegula 4-6 7-6 (8-6) 7-5.
It follows on from her stunning first-round win over fellow former US Open champion Sloane Stephens, with Raducanu describing her latest triumph over Pegula as one of her most “meaningful” wins.
The American – who won the Berlin WTA title last week – had looked in control when taking the opening set but Raducanu battled back to win after almost three hours in sweltering conditions.
She now joins British No 1 Katie Boulter and Harriet Dart through to the quarter-finals, three Brits making it through to the last-16 in Eastbourne for the first time since 1978.
Image: Britain’s Katie Boulter beat Jelena Ostapenko to reach the quarter-finals of the grass-court event in Eastbourne
After being broken twice by Pegula in the first set, Raducanu rallied to pull back level at 4-4 only to then see her serve falter again as Pegula closed out the opener.
The match appeared to be running away from the 21-year-old as she swiftly fell into a 2-0 hole to start the second set, having again lost her opening service game.
However, after finding her range from the back of the court and lifted by the home crowd, it was Pegula who started to wilt in the Eastbourne sun.
Image: Katie Boulter and Emma Raducanu are through to the quarter-finals in Eastbourne
Raducanu dug deep to recover from 3-0 down in the tie-break, saving a match point down 6-5 to ultimately level the contest as Pegula lashed another return into the net.
Remarkably, it was the first time in her career Raducanu had taken a set from a top-10 player and she built on the momentum into the deciding set as she broke twice to move 5-2 ahead.
Pegula, though, refused to go quietly and broke twice herself when Raducanu was serving for the match to level things up a 5-5… only for the home favourite to break again and nudge 6-5 ahead before this time closing it out on serve – albeit with Pegula wasting three break points from 0-40 up.
“I am pretty drained right now but I just want to say thanks to everyone again for getting me through some really difficult moments in that match,” Raducanu said after her win.
“I am really pleased with how I managed to navigate some really tough situations and I didn’t think I would be able to get myself out of it, so I would say this match is one of the more meaningful ones to me.”
Raducana faces sixth-seed Daria Kasatkina in the last 16.
Boulter beats Ostapenko to reach quarters
Earlier, British No 1 Boulter beat former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko in straight sets as she continued her fine form on grass.
The 27-year-old, who successfully defended her title in Nottingham earlier this month, triumphed 6-4 7-5 and will now face third seed Jasmine Paolini.
The world No 32 said: “I wasn’t sure what to expect coming into this grass-court season. I’m out here having fun and enjoying myself.”
Image: Jelena Ostapenko cut a frustrated figure during her defeat to British No 1 Katie Boulter
Boulter took the first set amid a series of errors from Latvian Ostapenko and then broke at 5-5 in the second before holding to complete victory.
“Honestly, I was just trying to slap a little harder than she was,” Boulter said, after beating a Grand Slam winner for the first time.
“She’s so tough to play against, you never know what is going to happen and it’s completely in her control.”
And Dart rounded off a spectacular day for British tennis as she beat American world No 48 Sofia Kenin 6-3 6-7 (3-7) 6-0 to ensure three Brits reach the quarter-finals of the competition for the first time in over 45 years.
Dart’s opponent in the next round is Canadian 21-year-old Leylah Fernandez, who famously lost out to Raducanu in the 2021 US Open final at Flushing Meadows.
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Mallorca Championships (ATP 250) – June 23-29
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Katie Boulter beat former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko in straight sets as she continued her fine form on grass ahead of Wimbledon by reaching the quarter-finals in Eastbourne.
British No 1 Boulter – who successfully defended her title in Nottingham earlier this month – defeated fifth seed Ostapenko 6-4 7-5 and will now face third seed Jasmine Paolini or Elise Mertens.
The world No 32 said: “I wasn’t sure what to expect coming into this grass-court season. I’m out here having fun and enjoying myself.”
Image: Ostapenko reacts during her defeat to Boulter
Boulter took the first set amid a series of errors from Latvian Ostapenko and then broke at 5-5 in the second before holding to complete victory.
“Honestly, I was just trying to slap a little harder than she was,” Boulter said, after beating a Grand Slam winner for the first time.
“She’s so tough to play against, you never know what is going to happen and it’s completely in her control.”
Image: Emma Raducanu plays Jessica Pegula in Eastbourne on Wednesday
Boulter’s fellow Brit Emma Raducanu will look to join her compatriot in the last eight later on Wednesday as she plays American second seed Jessia Pegula.
Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, beat 2017 US Open winner Sloane Stephens in straight sets in Sussex on Tuesday to reach the second round having been awarded a wildcard.
What’s coming up on Sky Sports Tennis?
In the run-up to the third Grand Slam of 2024 – Wimbledon – you can watch the biggest tennis stars in action live on Sky Sports.
Mallorca Championships (ATP 250) – June 23-29
Bad Homburg (WTA 500) – June 23-29
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Britain’s Jack Draper is through to the quarter-finals at the Queen’s Club Championships, after a stunning defeat of defending champion Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 6-3.
A tight first set with no break points saw Draper excel in a tie-break to clinch it 7-3 and claim the opening set, before storming through the second to lead 5-2 with two match points on the Alcaraz serve.
The Spaniard recovered to hold from there, but Draper then held his nerve, serving out the match for victory.
Image: Alcaraz’s Queen’s defence is over after a straight-sets defeat to Britain’s Draper
Spanish superstar Alcaraz, who won the French Open earlier this month, had not been beaten in seven weeks or lost a match on grass in almost two years.
But Draper served notice that he is ready to mix it in the upper echelons of the game by becoming the first British man to beat a top-two player on grass since Andy Murray against Novak Djokovic in the 2013 Wimbledon final.
“It was a really tough match,” said Draper. “Carlos is the defending champion, he won Wimbledon, he’s an incredible talent and amazing for the sport.
“I had to come out and play well and luckily I did.
“There’s no place I’d rather be right now, with my family, my friends and the British support. I’ve got my grandad here, who’s just turned 80, he’s doing well.”
Draper became the new British No 1 on Monday, having secured the first ATP Tour title of his career by beating Matteo Berrettini in the Stuttgart Open final on Sunday.
Draper will play American fifth seed Tommy Paul, a 6-3 6-4 winner over Chile’s Alejandro Tabilo, in the quarter-final.
With top seed Alcaraz now out, second seed Alex de Minaur and third seed Grigor Dimitrov are already eliminated as well, as are sixth, seventh and eighth seeds Ben Shelton, Holger Rune and Ugo Humbert.
Alcaraz had no complaints about the result as his 13-match unbeaten streak on grass came to a shuddering halt.
“I’m not too good right now. I felt like I didn’t play well, I didn’t move well,” he said.
“Of course I have to give credit to Jack. I think he played really good tennis today,”
Draper was joined in the last eight by another Briton, wild card Billy Harris.
The 29-year-old journeyman from Nottingham, who usually travels to lower-tier tournaments in his camper van, has made a huge breakthrough this week.
He celebrated the news that he had been given a wild card for Wimbledon – and a guaranteed £60,000 pay day – by beating French qualifier Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard 6-4 7-5.
Harris said: “It’s massive for my confidence. I came into this match knowing it would be tough with his serve.
“The games went quick and I had to keep my focus. I got the breaks when I needed them and I thought I played well.
“I didn’t know how I’d react to coming out here but as soon as I came on court I got great support from the crowd and they helped me through the match.”
The Billy Harris story
Harris, 29, ranked outside the top 300 just eight months ago, defeats Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard 6-4 7-5 to reach his first ATP quarter-final at Queen’s Club, an ATP 500 and one of the biggest grass-court events
Spent years on the ITFs, now inside the top 140
There was more British success in the doubles as Joe Salisbury and American partner Rajeev Ram beat scratch pairing Sebastian Korda and Alex De Minaur.
In the quarter-finals, Salisbury will face another Briton, Neal Skupski, who is playing alongside New Zealander Michael Venus.
What’s coming up on Sky Sports Tennis?
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In the run-up to the third Grand Slam of 2024 – Wimbledon – you can watch all of the biggest tennis stars in action live on Sky Sports as they compete across the grass-court season.
Berlin Open (WTA 500) – June 17-23
Halle (ATP 500) – June 17-23
Mallorca Championships (ATP 250) – June 23-29
Bad Homburg (WTA 500) – June 23-29
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Luke Littler made a winning start on his Poland Darts Masters debut, fending off a valiant fightback from Adam Gawlas to advance to the quarter-finals with a 6-4 success in Gliwice on Friday.
Littler, 17, survived a late scare to see off UK Open semi-finalist Gawlas, who fought back from 5-1 down to threaten an unlikely victory by taking three successive legs.
Reigning champion Michael van Gerwen continued his winning record in Poland to set up a quarter-final clash against Boris Krcmar.
Littler won the Premier League in his debut campaign after defeating world No 1 Luke Humphries 11-7 in the final
The Dutchman began his title defence with a comprehensive 6-1 win over a below-par Karel Sedlacek, while Krcmar defied five 180s from Nathan Aspinall to progress to the quarter-finals with a huge 6-4 victory against the World Matchplay champion.
Peter Wright returned to winning ways in emphatic style, producing a trio of 15-darters in the closing stages to dispatch big-stage debutant Jacek Krupka 6-0.
Despite missing 28 darts at double, Michael Smith still averaged over 95 to complete a 6-4 victory against home hope Radek Szaganski.
What’s next on Sky Sports?
Image: Jonny Clayton and Gerwyn Price are reigning World Cup of Darts champions
The World Cup of Darts will take place from 27 to 30 June 2024 at the Eissporthalle in Frankfurt, Germany.
Wales’ Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton are the defending champions and they’ll be determined to fend off 39 other nations to retain their title.
Luke Humphries and Smith are in line to represent England but Littler will not feature because the two highest-ranked English players in the PDC Order of Merit are picked. ‘The Nuke’ is currently 25th in the Order of Merit.
Fans were also able to stream the entire action on NOW TV through their mobile device or table.
World Cup of Darts: Fixtures
Thursday, June 27 (6pm BST) Group Stage – Opening Matches
Friday, June 28 Afternoon Session (11am BST) Group Stage – Second Matches
Evening Session (6pm BST) Group Stage – Final Matches
Saturday, June 29 Afternoon Session (12pm BST) Second Round x4
Evening Session (6pm BST) Second Round x4
Sunday, June 30 Afternoon Session (12pm BST) Quarter-Finals
Evening Session (6pm BST) Semi-Finals Final
What is the format?
Group Stage – Best of seven legs
Second Round – Best of 15 legs
Quarter-Finals – Best of 15 legs
Semi-Finals – Best of 15 legs
Final – Best of 19 legs
All matches will be played in a doubles format
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Katie Boulter’s dream of a second successive title at her home event is firmly alive as the British No 1 breezed into the quarter-finals of the Nottingham Open with 6-4 6-3 victory over Rebecca Marino.
Victory at the Wimbledon warm-up event last year kick-started an impressive year for the 27-year-old which has seen her surge into the world’s top 30.
Boulter, from nearby Leicester, said after her win: “Just being back where it started reminds me how far I have come and I just keep working hard every day and see what happens.
“I am out here enjoying myself on the Nottingham courts and I don’t take that for granted.
“It is going to take some time to be at my best, I am realistic with that, it is about getting some momentum and getting to the last weeks of the grass court season and playing my best stuff there.
“But I wouldn’t mind playing my best stuff here either. I’ll take it one match at a time and see how we go.”
Heather Watson was unable to follow her compatriot into the last eight, however, as she lost to 2016 champion Karolina Pliskova, going down 6-4 6-4 to the sixth seed.
Emma Raducanu will aim to book herself a quarter-final spot when she takes on Daria Snigur on Thursday, while Fran Jones also carries British hopes against Ashlyn Krueger.
Emma Raducanu is looking forward to her return to grass after missing last season and is ‘super grateful’ for being ‘so healthy’.
In the men’s Challenger event, Dan Evans endured a tough time of it when edging past last year’s Wimbledon boys’ champion, and fellow Brit, Henry Searle.
Image: Henry Searle was the Wimbledon boys’ champion last year and took fellow Brit Dan Evans to two tie-breaks before being defeated
Evans needed two tie-breaks to prevail, ultimately winning 7-6 (7-4) 7-6 (7-5) to set up another all-British tie against Charles Broom in the quarter-final.
“He’s obviously very good,” said Evans of Searle. “I’m just happy to come through, to be honest – it’s not the draw I wanted to see when I saw I was next to his name.”
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Jack Draper continued his Wimbledon preparations with a battling victory over American Marcos Giron to book his place in the quarter-finals of the Stuttgart Open.
Draper, who is threatening Cameron Norrie’s mantle of British men’s No 1, missed the entire grass-court season last year because of injury.
After a straight-sets win over Sebastian Ofner on Monday, Draper found things tougher this time around against Giron, who had comfortably seen off another Brit, Andy Murray, in his first-round match.
Highlights of the Stuttgart Open match between Andy Murray and Marcos Giron
The opening set went on serve until Draper broke in the fifth game, the 22-year-old going on to take it 6-4 in just 31 minutes.
Giron regrouped in the second set. After a key hold in the fifth game, saving five break points, the American broke Draper to move 5-3 up on his way to levelling the match.
However, Draper raced into a 3-0 lead in the deciding set and although Giron continued to battle on, Draper would ultimately clinch a 6-4 3-6 6-3 victory.
“I thought I played a really good first set and then he came back really strong,” Draper said after his win.
“I had a little blip in concentration, but then came out in the third set really strong and was really happy with the way I was able to come through the match.
“He beat Andy Murray yesterday, who is obviously an incredible player and I knew he had such a high level.
“I had to come out and know he was going to bring that, but I was able to stay with him and come through. I am really happy with the way I mentally performed today.”
Image: Defending champion Frances Tiafoe awaits Draper in the quarter-finals
Draper goes on to play another American, Frances Tiafoe, in the last eight after the defending champion beat German Yannick Hanfmann 7-5 7-6 (7-5).
Italian fifth seed Lorenzo Musetti recovered to beat Dominik Koepfer 6-7 (9-11) 7-6 (7-5) 6-3 to also reach the quarter-finals, where he will face Alexander Bublik after he came through 6-1 7-6 (7-4) against Hamad Medjedovic.
What’s coming up on Sky Sports Tennis?
Find out all the ways to watch tennis on Sky Sports, including the US Open, ATP and WTA tours
In the run-up to the third Grand Slam of 2024 – Wimbledon – you can watch all of the biggest tennis stars in action live on Sky Sports as they compete across the grass-court season.
Stuttgart Open (ATP 250) – June 10-16
Rosmalen Open (ATP/WTA 250) – June 10-16
Berlin Open (WTA 500) – June 17-23
Watch the WTA and ATP Tours throughout 2024 on Sky Sports Tennis. Stream Sky Sports Tennis and more with a NOW Sports Month Membership. No contract, cancel anytime.
