Jack Draper completes historic day for Britain at the French Open
The 23-year-old British number one recovered from a slow start to win 3-6 6-1 6-4 6-2 under the roof on Court Suzanne-Lenglen.
Jack Draper completed a historic day for Britain at the French Open by beating Mattia Bellucci to reach the second round.
The 23-year-old British number one recovered from a slow start to win 3-6 6-1 6-4 6-2 under the roof on Court Suzanne-Lenglen.
Draper joins the rest of the Brit pack; Emma Raducanu, Katie Boulter, Sonay Kartal, Jacob Fearnley and Cameron Norrie, in the second round – the first time the nation has had six first-round winners at Roland Garros since 1973.
It is a far cry from last year, when Draper was among the six first-round losers, as Britain suffered a depressing total wipe-out.
“I think it’s amazing,” he said. “Obviously I have been really focused on myself, my own preparations, but I have been watching the other players. It’s amazing for British tennis, to be honest.
“It’s great and it shows that we’re not afraid of playing well on the clay. I think all of them, great respect for, they all work really hard, and they’re all great players. I’m not surprised, either, to be honest.”
Draper seemed to be caught cold at the start of the match, with world number 68 Bellucci audaciously wrapping up the first set with an underarm serve.
“I knew that he does use that a little bit,” added Draper. “I never understand with underarm serves why people boo and stuff, because it’s part of the game.
“If you’ve got that shot in the locker, so many guys are returning from so far back in the court, that it’s a good play. It worked on that point against me today, and I have seen him pull out that one before.
“I don’t have that shot in the locker. I definitely don’t. Terrible.”
But Draper, up to four in the world in the live ATP rankings, eventually found his rhythm and eased to his maiden victory at the Paris grand slam in two hours and 35 minutes.
“I know I hadn’t won a match here, but I’m coming here wanting to go deep in the tournament,” he said.
“I have the confidence and I have the belief I can do that.
“Obviously winning matches feels good, but my goals are much higher than that. It feels great. I’m really focused on hopefully going as deep as I can here.”
Draper will face home favourite Gael Monfils in the second round after the 38-year-old former semi-finalist came from two sets down to beat Hugo Dellien 4-6 3-6 6-1 7-6 (4) 6-1 in Tuesday’s night match.
