Jack Draper is back on the tennis courts at the Japan Open and he’s doing great.
He’s having some of his best moments in tennis right now, especially after making it to the semi-finals at the US Open where he lost to Jannik Sinner. This was a big deal for him because it showed he could compete at high levels.
Draper’s confidence soared after his US Open run, and he’s continuing that momentum in Tokyo . He played here last year, so he knows the courts well, which has helped him win two matches so far.
| Name | Age | Points | Stats 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| gb Jack Draper | 22 | 1,131 | 13 - 12 |
In his first match, Draper defeated Mattia Bellucci with a score of 6-4, 6-2. Bellucci has been strong on the ATP Challenger Tour but couldn’t keep up with Draper. His second match was against Hubert Hurkacz, a top 10 player known for his amazing tennis skills. Draper won again in two sets and credited his good attitude and composure for handling Hurkacz.
Match Highlights:
Draper said about his performance: “I was pleased with a lot of things today. I thought my attitude was really good. I got myself out of some tough situations and played the pretty big points on my terms, and that’s something that I’ve wanted to do.”
This matchup was tricky because Hurkacz is a tough opponent who doesn’t make things easy. But Draper managed well: “I know Hubert; when he gets time on the ball, he’s so dangerous, probably the best server in the world right now. So, I’m really happy with my composure.”
Fans might think this news is very exciting because it shows how much Draper’s game has improved.
Draper’s chances look good for going deep into this tournament since he enjoys playing in Japan and feels comfortable there. After his confidence boost from the US Open, he’s set to face Ugo Humbert next. While Humbert can play solid tennis too, there’s a real chance Draper could reach the final or even win in Tokyo.
What do you think? Can Draper go all the way?
