The hecatomb marking the National Bank Open, in Montreal, will have minimally allowed tennis fans from here to discover a young talent: the British Jack Draper.
After winning two games in qualifying, the 20-year-old has now reached the quarter-finals.
“I’ve worked hard in the last year to get myself into this position,” said Draper, who is currently No. 82 in the world. Even though my career is still young, it’s experiences like this that I need to progress. It’s fantastic to be here in Montreal, where people love tennis.”
Although he took on third-seeded Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas earlier this week, Draper won the first set 6-2 against Gaël Monfils on Thursday night before suffering an injury retirement as the French took a 2-0 lead in the second set. Touched in the left knee, Monfils collapsed on the ground, in tears.
“Gaël is one of the players who has inspired me since I was young and it’s hard to see him like that, mentioned Draper, who had trouble fully celebrating his victory. I wish him the best and hope he gets back to the US Open.”
sad sight
Tsitsipas’ loss to Draper late Wednesday night certainly upset plans for the evening’s program on center court. Paying top dollar to see Draper was certainly not the wish of many fans when buying tickets for the Thursday evening session. No more than witnessing an abandonment.
However, the native athlete of Sutton, England, may be one of the rising stars of tennis. Earlier this year, he notably defeated two members of the world’s top 15 on home soil, American Taylor Fritz, in the first round in London, then Argentinian Diego Schwartzman, in the second round in Eastbourne.
In the next round, Draper has an appointment with the Spaniard Pablo Carreno Busta, 23rd in the world, winner of the duel between him and the Italian Jannik Sinner, seventh seed, Thursday evening.
COURT CENTRAL
Casper Ruud (Norway) [4] gang 6-7, 7-6 et 6-4 c. Roberto Bautista Agut (Spain) [14]
Felix Auger-Aliassime (Canada) [6] gagne 6-3 and 6-4 tbsp. Cameron Norrie (Great Britain) [9]
Jack Draper (Great Britain) advances to the next round following a 6-2, 0-2 victory (AB.) v. Gael Monfils (France) [17]
Pablo Carreno Busta (Spain) wins 6-2 and 6-4 v. Jannik Sinner (Italy) [7]
COURT ROGERS
Hubert Hurkacz (Poland) [8] wins 6-7, 6-2 and 7-6 c. Albert Ramos-Vinolas (Spain)
Nick Kyrgios (Australia) wins 6-2 and 6-3 v. Alex de Minaur (Australia)
Daniel Evans (Great Britain) signs a victory of 7-6, 1-6 and 7-5 v. Taylor Fritz (USA) [10]
Tommy Paul (USA) wins 6-4 and 6-2 v. Marin Cilic (Croatia) [13]
