“Bamboozled” Jack Draper Fights Hard to Reach the Quarter-Finals of the Italian Open
Jack Draper came from behind to beat Corentin Moutet 1-6, 6-4, 6-3 to reach the quarter-finals of the Italian Open in Rome.
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Jack Draper (via X/ATP)
Jack Draper had to dig deep to beat Corentin Moutet in three sets to reach the quarter-finals of the Italian Open. For the first time in the British star’s career, he will be playing in the quarter-finals of a back-to-back clay Masters 1000 tournament after achieving the same in Madrid two weeks ago.
The 23-year-old entered the match having been frustrated with his performance against Vit Kopriva in the third round. In fact, he smashed his racket angrily despite being a set and a break up. Against Moutet, he was calm despite a poor first set display in which he missed two break points at 1-1, before letting his French opponent win five consecutive games.
Draper looked determined in the second set, as he woke up from his slumber, beating Moutet at his unconventional tactics of using drop shots combined with a brilliant defense. The British star wasted no time in claiming the second set 6-4. In the deciding set, Moutet kept frustrating Draper by wasting time before every serve.
The Frenchman looked out of strategy as he had played for almost three hours against Holger Rune on Sunday (May 11). That gave Draper the leverage to wrap up the victory in dramatic fashion, 1-6, 6-4, 6-3, to reach the quarter-finals of the Italian Open for the first time in his career. After the match, he opened up about his terrible start to the match.
I’m proud of my efforts today. I was a bit bamboozled at the start to be honest, I haven’t played someone like that ever I don’t think. I felt like I was on a string; I didn’t know what I was doing. I came out in the second set and just fought for every point. Found a way in the end to pick up my level. It was a good one to come through, it feels good.
Jack Draper said via Rome Press
Draper has lost just two clay matches this season. After reaching the round of 16 of the Monte Carlo Masters, he bounced back in Madrid, winning five matches without dropping a set before losing to Casper Ruud in the final. The British star is currently playing comfortably on the surface this season despite not having a good previous experience.
Jack Draper feels strong ahead of his quarter-final match against Carlos Alcaraz in Rome
Jack Draper will face Carlos Alcaraz in the quarter-finals of the Italian Open. The tie will be a rematch of the Indian Wells semi-finals in March, where the British star beat the Spaniard in three sets. Both players are in remarkable form on clay, with Alcaraz having won the Monte Carlo Masters and lost one match, while Draper reached the final of the Madrid Open.
However, Alcaraz currently leads their head-to-head record 3-2. The World No.3 has lost their last two meetings on the Tour. First at the Queen’s Club Championship last year and then in Indian Wells. Draper believes the match will be very difficult because of their intense competitiveness on the court.
Both of us are among the top five in the world. I don’t think about whether he is elite or not, I just see it as two guys playing great tennis, wanting to beat each other and be competitive. I have a lot of respect for him. I know the tennis he will bring to me. It will be very difficult for me to beat him. However, I feel strong about this match.
Jack Draper said
Draper made history at the Italian Open after reaching the quarter-finals. He became the youngest British player (23 years old and 126 days) to reach the men’s singles quarter-finals in Rome since the Open Era. The World No.5 has been one of the standout players in the men’s circuit this season.
Also Read: Milos Raonic Reveals the ‘Dumbest’ Thing He Has Heard About Carlos Alcaraz
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