Forty minutes into his dramatic, anxiety-filled fourth‑round tussle with Corentin Moutet in Rome, Jack Draper still had just one game to his name. In the face of one of the most cunning, varied players on the tour, he was completely disconcerted. He did not know what to do. Draper spent almost the entirety of the short break between sets shouting encouragement at himself.
Draper responded to the adversity with an exhibition of his growing mental strength and inner belief as he found a way into the quarter-finals with a 1-6, 6-4, 6-3 win.
“I knew that I had to change a few things tactically,” Draper, the fifth seed in Rome, said. “I had to be there for every point, because his level wasn’t going to drop. I knew that. So I’m really, really happy with the way I problem-solved.”
Three weeks ago, Draper’s best result on clay was two ATP 250 quarter-finals. He has now won eight of his past nine matches on the surface and reached consecutive Masters 1000 quarter-finals on clay following his run to the Madrid Open final. He is not merely playing like an elite player at certain times, he is now doing so consistently on all surfaces.
Draper faces the reigning French Open champion and third seed Carlos Alcaraz on Wednesday, in another edition of what is becoming one of the tour’s most significant rivalries.
“We’re both in the top five in the world now, but I see it as just two guys who are playing great tennis going out there and wanting to win and beat each other and be competitive,” Draper said.
“I have big respect for him. I know what he’s going to bring. He’s going to be really tough to beat. Obviously there is a bit of a change in dynamic, but I feel strong and I feel good about the match. I hope that I can bring some really good tennis.”
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Jannik Sinner passed a big test in his return from a three-month doping ban, beating the accomplished clay-court player Francisco Cerundolo 7-6(2), 6-3 on Tuesday to reach the Italian Open quarter-finals. The 18th-ranked Cerundolo has a tour-best 18 wins on clay this year and was coming off a run to the Madrid Open semi-finals. Also, Cerundolo beat Sinner when they last met on the same court — and in the same round — two years ago.
It is Sinner’s first tournament since he won his third Grand Slam title at the Australian Open in January and he hasn’t dropped a set in three matches. “Today I felt that I raised my level,” Sinner said. “It was a very long day … but I need this. I’m happy to be back. I was three months out, so every situation for me, I feel very fortunate to be here, very lucky.” Associated Press
After being forced to withdraw from the Miami Open because of an adductor injury, Alcaraz is still finding his form in Rome, the only significant clay court title he is yet to win. He edged past Karen Khachanov 6-3, 3-6, 7-5. Although Alcaraz leads their head-to head 3-2, Draper triumphed in their last meeting, winning in three sets en route to the Indian Wells title in March.
Their last match was very much on Alcaraz’s mind as he looked ahead: “I’m just ready,” he said.
“I’m just looking forward to playing against him. He’s one of the best players in the world right now. The results show how good he is playing lately. I just want to take revenge from Indian Wells.”
Fresh off a spectacular upset win against the ninth seed Holger Rune, Moutet is well known for his varied, crafty, lefty game and his extroverted personality on court. He is a tricky opponent for all players, particularly those still finding their feet on clay, such as Draper.
From the beginning, Moutet made use of every tool at his disposal, mixing in serve and volley attempts to great effect while dragging Draper to all parts of the court with a variety of spins, slices and drop shots. As Moutet soared, his British opponent retreated into his shell, playing nervous, tentative tennis to lose the first set 6-1.
Draper started the second set with greater energy and he forced himself to dictate more with his forehand. His serving also improved, allowing him to navigate his service games more efficiently and put pressure on Moutet in his return games.
In the tough Rome afternoon heat, the match was physical and riddled with anxiety until the end, with numerous points where Draper could have completely lost control. With his immense resilience and problem-solving abilities in the decisive moments he navigated a path to a victory that represents another significant step forward in his development on clay.
