Alcaraz's Wimbledon Defense Takes a Hit when he Loses in Queen's 2nd Round

Carlos Alcaraz of Spain attends a press conference after losing his second round match against Jack Draper of Britain at the Queen's Club tennis tournament in London, Britain, 20 June 2024. EPA/TOLGA AKMEN
Carlos Alcaraz of Spain attends a press conference after losing his second round match against Jack Draper of Britain at the Queen's Club tennis tournament in London, Britain, 20 June 2024. EPA/TOLGA AKMEN
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Alcaraz's Wimbledon Defense Takes a Hit when he Loses in Queen's 2nd Round

Carlos Alcaraz of Spain attends a press conference after losing his second round match against Jack Draper of Britain at the Queen's Club tennis tournament in London, Britain, 20 June 2024. EPA/TOLGA AKMEN
Carlos Alcaraz of Spain attends a press conference after losing his second round match against Jack Draper of Britain at the Queen's Club tennis tournament in London, Britain, 20 June 2024. EPA/TOLGA AKMEN

Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz's buildup took a hit when he lost in the second round of Queen's Club on Thursday.
Alcaraz, the defending Queen's champion and top seed, lost to Jack Draper 7-6 (3), 6-3.
For Draper, the British No. 1, it was the biggest win of his career. He was impressively composed in front of his home crowd.
Queen's was Alcaraz's only grass-court preparation last year en route to winning Wimbledon for the first time.
But this time the Spaniard will have only two grass matches under his belt following his French Open victory, The Associated Press reported. Wimbledon starts in 11 days.
Draper ended Alcaraz's eight-match win streak while extending his own to seven after winning his first ATP title last week in Stuttgart.
Draper didn't drop serve against Alcaraz. They were finally separated in the first set in the tiebreak, where Draper shot to 4-0 then 6-1. Alcaraz netted a return to concede the set.
Alcaraz suffered the only break in the sixth game of the second set, after Draper's backhand return serve down the line.
Draper saved a break point to hold for 5-2, then Alcaraz saved three match points to hold. Draper served out and threw his arms in the air.
“I knew I had to come out here and play really well, and luckily I did that,” he said on court.



Gabriel: New Signings Will Help Bring Arsenal Trophies

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Champions League - Round of 16 - Second Leg - Arsenal v PSV Eindhoven - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - March 12, 2025 Arsenal's Gabriel Magalhaes and Oleksandr Zinchenko REUTERS/David Klein/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Champions League - Round of 16 - Second Leg - Arsenal v PSV Eindhoven - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - March 12, 2025 Arsenal's Gabriel Magalhaes and Oleksandr Zinchenko REUTERS/David Klein/File Photo
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Gabriel: New Signings Will Help Bring Arsenal Trophies

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Champions League - Round of 16 - Second Leg - Arsenal v PSV Eindhoven - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - March 12, 2025 Arsenal's Gabriel Magalhaes and Oleksandr Zinchenko REUTERS/David Klein/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Champions League - Round of 16 - Second Leg - Arsenal v PSV Eindhoven - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - March 12, 2025 Arsenal's Gabriel Magalhaes and Oleksandr Zinchenko REUTERS/David Klein/File Photo

Arsenal let Premier League titles slip through their grasp in the last couple of years but the arrival of top-quality signings will make a difference this season, said defender Gabriel Magalhaes.

Runners-up for the last three seasons, Arsenal have signed winger Noni Madueke and goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea, as well as midfielders Christian Norgaard from Brentford and Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad.

Swedish striker Viktor Gyokeres, who scored 54 goals in 52 games for Sporting last season, is also expected to make the switch to the Emirates Stadium.

"I think the players that came will help us out a lot. The club is doing what is best for the players and the manager," Gabriel told the BBC in an interview published on Sunday.

"They are definitely doing their best to bring the best players that can help us, but we have to focus on what we can do out on the pitch. The players that are here are doing that. We are strong and we are getting stronger with these new players.

"We want to have the best players. To be in the dispute for titles, you have to have the best players ... We have let a couple of titles slip through our fingers recently. We almost won but I think this year, things will be different."

Arsenal begin their 2025-26 Premier League campaign on August 17 with a trip to Manchester United.