"I am hoping this year": Jack Draper hoping for 'good run' at Monte-Carlo Masters after thumping win against Marcos Giron

Britain’s Jack Draper has expressed optimism about having a ‘good run’ at tournaments played on clay this year after an impressive start to his campaign at the Monte-Carlo Masters. The ATP 1000 event is moving towards the third round, where the remaining players are giving their all to secure the ultimate prize.

Draper started his campaign brilliantly, as he defeated America’s Marcos Giron in straight sets with a score of 6-1, 6-1. Talking after the match, the London-born stated that the result on the day was a fruit of his hard work behind the scenes. The world number six also stated that he is aware of the fact that players are now targeting to get the better of him after some incredible performances in the recent past and that he is focused of producing the goods on the court.

“Not easy conditions sometimes here,” he said. “Sometimes its lively, sometimes is bit slower. Obviously playing a bit later but feel like I have been transitioning well to the Clay. Been working really hard. Look for my forehand and do all the right things to be effective on this surface because I struggled a little bit in the last couple of years but I am hoping this year, with hopefully my new tennis, I could have a good run. I don’t know. Obviously growing more experiences. Its obviously a bit of an adjustment. Last year coming here, [I was] 40 odd in the world, now I am sixth [rank], so its been an amazing year but I want to keep up my hard work. I know people are going to be after me, that’s for sure so I am ready to keep on competing really hard and trying to put my tennis out on the court.”

Draper will now face Spain’s Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the round of 16. The 25-year-old cemented his place in the third round of the competition after beating Argentina’s Tomas Martin Etcheverry in straight sets with a score of 7-6, 6-3.