Jack Draper survives the heat to continue encouraging Eastbourne injury return

Jack Draper handled the Eastbourne heat to beat fellow Briton Jack Pinnington Jones and maintain his encouraging start under new coach Andy Murray.

In baking conditions on the south coast, Draper booked a place in the quarter-finals of the Wimbledon warm-up event with a 7-5 6-4 victory as he continued his comeback from persistent arm and knee injuries.

The former world No 4 will face Canada’s Gabriel Diallo on Thursday for a spot in the semi-finals.

“My confidence levels were below the floor a couple of weeks ago; I hadn’t played for a long time, wasn’t match fit,” Draper said on court following only his second match in more than two months.

“I didn’t play Queen’s because I just wasn’t ready, so to come here and be on court and to be competing and playing at a high level very quickly, I’m very grateful.”

With weather warnings in place due to extreme heat, temperatures had dropped slightly to 30C when Draper and Pinnington Jones eventually came on court late on Wednesday afternoon.

Draper, who again had two-time Wimbledon champion Murray offering encouragement from the sidelines, began confidently in his bid to back up Monday’s straight-sets success over American Marcos Giron.

Wearing a protective sleeve on his troublesome racket arm, the 24-year-old broke his opponent in just game three but later squandered a set point at 5-4 up with a rash forehand which flew into the stands.

Pinnington Jones duly capitalised to level by taking advantage of his third break point courtesy of a fortunate, net-cord winner.

However, the 23-year-old then failed to hold as Draper regained the initiative before clinching the opening set with successive aces.

Pinnington Jones, who reached round two on his Wimbledon debut last year, again dropped serve at the start of the second set.

The world No 145 recovered to remain in touching distance but, following a brief disagreement with umpire Scott Noble over the time allowed at changeovers, was unable to prevent Draper progressing in an hour and a half.

“Jack’s a great friend so it’s tough playing against a good friend,” said Draper. “He’s still young and he’s been building his way up the rankings, he’s nearly in the top hundred.

“He’s going to be someone who’s going to be a top, top player, and I think he showed that today.

“There were no hard feelings (about the crowd shouting “come on, Jack”) as I didn’t know who you guys were supporting!”

In Wednesday’s first all-British showdown on Centre Court, Jan Choinski defeated Wimbledon wildcard Felix Gill 6-4 6-7 (4) 6-2.

Choinski was initially due to face world No 7 and defending champion Taylor Fritz before the American withdrew injured, allowing 24-year-old Gill an opportunity as a lucky loser.

Earlier, British No 5 Toby Samuel registered his first ATP Tour victory by beating Argentina’s Thiago Agustin Tirante.

The 23-year-old, who is poised to make his Wimbledon debut next week, won 6-1 7-6 (7) and will take on world No 21 Francisco Cerundolo in the last eight.

Argentinian eighth seed Cerundolo defeated British No 3 Arthur Fery 6-2 7-6 (2).