\n<\/p>\n
Coming into his home Grand Slam tournament, Draper insisted he could handle the increased scrutiny of being the nation’s greatest hope.<\/p>\n
When Draper regained his place as the world number four following a run to the Queen’s semi-finals, it was a significant moment.<\/p>\n
As fourth seed at Wimbledon, it meant he was guaranteed to avoid world number one Sinner or two-time defending champion Alcaraz \u2013 the heavy favourites for the title – until at least the semi-finals.<\/p>\n
Draper, however, was quick to urge caution about placing too much importance on the seeding until the draw was made – and he was right.<\/p>\n
The Briton encountered few problems in his opening match on Tuesday, dominating clay-court specialist Sebastian Baez in a set and a half before the Argentine retired injured.<\/p>\n
But the looming figure of Cilic was always likely to be more problematic.<\/p>\n
Draper had the racquet taken out of his hand in the opening two sets as Cilic executed his gameplan perfectly.<\/p>\n
Playing with depth from the baseline to push Draper back, particularly putting scrutiny on his opponent’s backhand, worked a treat.<\/p>\n
Draper was unable to get into position to execute his forehand and, although his first serve helped survive three break points at 4-3 down, he finally lost serve at the end of the opening set.<\/p>\n
With the clouds gathering over Court One, and the atmosphere becoming gloomier, Draper lost serve again early in the second set and it proved to be a decisive break.<\/p>\n
Draper is still waiting for his Murray moment at Wimbledon \u2013 the one where he achieves the impossible at the All England Club and causes waves across the nation during a primetime summer slot.<\/p>\n
Murray-mania exploded when the Scot fought back from two sets down against Richard Gasquet in 2008.<\/p>\n
If Draper had turned things around against Cilic, it could have been a similar type of moment for him.<\/p>\n
There was a brief glimmer of hope as Draper was able to use his forehand to greater effect in the third set, but any hopes of a memorable comeback were extinguished when he was broken again while serving to stay in the match.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n