The public did not fail to support it in hot moments (and there were some), but it was not enough. Indeed, Arthur Rinderknech (42nd) found himself faced with an insoluble equation with Jack Draper (45th) on the other side of the net. Powerful from the bottom and not clumsy at the net, the Briton took the new French No. 1 by the throat and never released his grip.
In the first set, Rinderknech was mainly handicapped by a service that lacked efficiency. 46% of first serves when this shot is the foundation of your game is way too little. The Frenchman has never been quiet on his service games and a break will have been enough for Draper to take the lead in a match that is both pleasant and spectacular.
The rest was of the same ilk, even if Rinderknech found efficiency in his offensive game and service (72% of firsts in the second set). But between straight passing passes and perfect lobs, he was not often at the party when he stormed the net. And from the third game, he had to face three break points, saved with panache.
But this panache, precisely, will have been a little lacking in Rinderknech, who may have physically paid for his efforts in recent weeks (semi-final in Gijon and quarter in Basel, coming out of qualifying). Broken in the seventh game, the French could not come back, despite two break points when Draper served for the match. Draper will play Frances Tiafoe in the next round.
