Carlos Alcaraz, Cameron Norrie, Holger Rune and Alex de Minaur are all in action as the quarter-finals of Queen’s get underway on Friday.
World No. 2 Alcaraz is getting used to the grass courts as he targets a deep Wimbledon run this year and looked more comfortable in a straight set victory over Jiri Lehecka on Thursday. The Spaniard now faces former Queen’s champion Grigor Dimitrov in the final match of the day.
Meanwhile, British No. 1 Norrie continues his push for a home title having overcome a tough test against Jordan Thompson in the second round. He had to fight from a set down to defeat the Australian 4-6 6-3 6-2 and now comes up against the big-serving American Sebastian Korda.
De Minaur became the first player through to the final four after holding off the challenge of Frenchman Adrian Mannarino in three sets. The Australian will play the winner of the next match between Queen’s second seed Holger Rune and the Italian Lorenzo Musetti.
Follow the live scores and updates from the Queen’s quarter-finals:
*Holger Rune 5-4 Lorenzo Musetti – Break!
What on earth has happened to Musetti? Rune gets his hold behind an improving serve, but the Italian completely chucks the next game with an array of errors from around the court. Rune is moving better and looks much happier. Musetti is stunned and Rune will serve for the set next.
Jamie Braidwood23 June 2023 15:42
*Holger Rune 3-4 Lorenzo Musetti – Break!
A couple of bad misses from Musetti to hand Rune the momentum back! From 30-30, the Italian went short with a drop shot from the baseline, and then pushed his forehand wide of the lines! Rune gets back in it, even if he looks less than 100 per cent.
Jamie Braidwood23 June 2023 15:35
Holger Rune 2-4 Lorenzo Musetti*
Rune carries on but is not looking comfortable on his forehand side. Musetti senses his chance to strike after getting to deuce, but a couple of wayward shots on the backhand side get Rune his hold.
His body language is not looking too positive, however.
Jamie Braidwood23 June 2023 15:30
*Holger Rune 1-4 Lorenzo Musetti
Oh, now this is a concern. Holger Rune is getting his right wrist looked at during a medical timeout…
Jamie Braidwood23 June 2023 15:22
*Holger Rune 1-4 Lorenzo Musetti – Break!
So loose from Holger Rune! The Dane looked to be in a solid position on serve, but consecutive errors on the forehand and backhand sides presents a break point chance for Musetti. Rune saves the first, but then fires wide again on the forehand and Musetti is able to take the second chance after keeping the ball in play. Rune slices into the net from the forecourt.
It’s followed by a hold from the Italian, whose sliced backhand is causing Rune all sorts of early problems.
Jamie Braidwood23 June 2023 15:16
*Holger Rune 1-2 Lorenzo Musetti
Both Rune and Musetti ease into things with a quick couple of service games – although Rune is ripping the backhand nicely already.
Musetti blinks on an overhead at 30-30 in the third game, but the Italian steadies to save two early break points.
Musetti eventually gets the hold as Rune goes low into the net on the running forehand. Good response from the Italian.
Jamie Braidwood23 June 2023 15:05
Holger Rune 0-0 Lorenzo Musetti*
Next up at Queen’s is the battle between Holger Rune and Lorenzo Musetti, two of the brightest young stars in the game.
Rune, the second seed here and world No 6, has the higher profile after already winning two ATP 1000 titles, but there is plenty of excitement around Musetti too.
This is their first career meeting – and grass should level the playing field somewhat.
Musetti will serve first to get us going.
Jamie Braidwood23 June 2023 14:54
Alex de Minaur 6-4 4-6 6-4 Adrian Mannarino – Game, set and match!
“To be honest we hate playing each other,” says De Minaur. “Whenever we play we know it’s going to be a chess match. I was able to hang on and I got a little lucky at the end, but I’ll take it to get back to the semi-finals.”
Lorenzo Musetti vs Holger Rune is next up on Centre Court.
Jamie Braidwood23 June 2023 14:39
Alex de Minaur 6-4 4-6 6-4 Adrian Mannarino – Game, set and match!
De Minaur gets over the line… just! The Australian was down 0-30 as he looked to serve it out but was able to make a key pick-up to stay in the game. From there, Mannarino unravelled. Three unforced errors in a row ensures De Minaur is the first player through to this weekend’s semi-finals.
That was a tough test – but the Australian is looking in impressive form.
Jamie Braidwood23 June 2023 14:37
*Alex de Minaur 6-4 4-6 5-4 Adrian Mannarino
Massive from De Minaur! He shakes off the disappointment of the previous game and out-angles Mannarino with a series of stunning recovery runs and slicing shots. Huge roar from De Minaur, and the Australian will now serve for a place in the semi-finals.
Jamie Braidwood23 June 2023 14:31