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Draper, who is playing his first tournament under new coach Andy Murray, claimed a 7-5 6-4 victory over his compatriot in 91 minutes.

The 24 year-old looked comfortable in his first-round victory over Marcos Giron, and followed that up with a strong start, getting an early break as he powered into a 3-1 lead.

However, he let the opportunity to serve for the first set slip through his fingers at 5-4; he held off two break points but then could not convert a set point before Pinnington Jones pulled level.

Draper did recover quickly, though, winning the next two games to get over the line.

He started strongly in the second set, too, breaking Pinnington Jones' serve in the opening game, which set the tone.

Draper did not face a single break point in the second, though he had to dig deep to secure the win, eventually securing the victory on his third match point.

Draper, who reached a career-high number four in the ATP rankings last year, is through to his fifth tour-level quarter-final on home soil as he continues to settle back into his rhythm.

He showed no signs of struggling with the knee injury that had kept him out since April, and was once again on top form with his serve, winning 79 percent of his first-serve points.

But while he continues his return, four-time champion Taylor Fritz, who was chasing a third consecutive title at Eastbourne, has had to withdraw from the competition.

"Unfortunately, I have to withdraw from Eastbourne this year," Fritz said. "I waited up until after the match warm-up to make the decision because I really did want to play.

"This is never an easy decision for me, especially when it involves a tournament that means so much to me... While I know it's the right call, it doesn't make it any less disappointing."