Jack Draper anchors Brit hopes with Kei Nishikori thrashing to open Olympic Games campaign

With Cameron Norrie withdrawing and Andy Murray not playing, Jack Draper led from the front in Paris. He opened his run for Olympic Games glory as in one of the ties of the opening round, it was in fact a crushing win.

Draper thrashed the former World No.4, Kei Nishikori without much resolve from the legendary Japanese ace similar to Naomi Osaka last night in facing Angelique Kerber in another tie being seen as close on paper. Sealing it 6-1, 6-4, Draper will next face Taylor Fritz in a real barnburner of a tie with Casper Ruud also lurking in the section below.

He took out the other Japanese hope in the draw in Taro Daniel as the two-time back-to-back Roland Garros finalist motored towards the second round. After. a close first set in which Ruud fell behind 3-0, he surged to a 7-5 set win and didn't look back. He sealed the second 6-1 to keep on motoring. One of the favourites this week in Paris, he certainly stuck to the script.

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Others through included Benjamin Hassan who made history as the first Lebanese player to win at the Olympic Games. He did so at the expense of Christopher Eubanks. The American got into the team due to late replacements and will have to go back firmly to the drawing board now after being easily beaten 6-4, 6-2 by the top 150 player. After his run at Wimbledon, it all seemed to be looking up. But it hasn't manifested itself as thus.

Also winning was Corentin Moutet in three sets over Sumit Nagal, Felix Auger-Aliassime sped past a tough test in Marcos Giron 6-1, 6-4. While Sebastian Ofner bizarrely defeated a doubles player and former singles star in Robin Haase who was playing his first match in some years and lost 7-5, 6-2. A bit better than Matthew Ebden that is for sure.

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Great first round win against Nishikori 🇯🇵 with 6-1 6-4 to move into the second round in Paris! #Paris2024 #tennis

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