MATCH REPORT | 2024 ATP Japan Open: Jack Draper eases into Last 16, sets up Hurkacz clash
ATPThursday, 26 September 2024 at 08:17
Jack Draper is through to the Last 16 of the Japan Open after taking down Italian ace Mattia Bellucci 6-4, 6-2 and now face Hubert Hurkacz.
Draper has already technically had one match as he won in the doubles alongside Tomas Machac defeating Alexander Erler and Matwe Middelkoop 4-6, 7-6, 10-8 earlier this week.
But he had to wait to open his account. It was a close start between the pair with Draper just about edging it 6-4 to open up. But from there Draper eased into a 5-1 lead in the second set. He converted three break points on the way to victory.
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He also hit 10 aces during the win to confound his dominance over the Italian in what is his first match since his US Open run. There he lost to Jannik Sinner in the semi-finals. He also had a disappointing Davis Cup. Great Britain failed to make it through with Canada acting as party poopers on home soil.
But the 22-year-old broke into the World's top 20 from reaching his first Grand Slam semi-final and will hope to continue that form from here. Earlier this week, he said consistency was firmly on his mind.
"I want to get to the position where I'm consistently winning and playing at a high level week in, week out," he said.
Also in Tokyo, Alex Michelsen pulled off a shock win over Stefanos Tsitsipas as form misery continued for the Greek. It was a first set win for him as he claimed it 6-4. But he fell off a cliff as Michelsen won the next two easily 6-1, 6-2.
Tommy Paul eased about his business against Matteo Arnaldi claiming it 6-3, 6-2. Whilst Felix Auger-Aliassime was also on the receiving end of a shock loss to Yoshihito Nishioka getting beaten 6-7, 6-3, 6-7.
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