Jack Draper is set on maintaining his current form which has seen him reach the semi-finals of the US Open and now the quarter finals of the Japan Open, an ATP 500 event in Tokyo.
So, I’m really happy with my composure, the way I approached the game, and hopefully I can carry this momentum forward. Jack Draper
He reached the last eight by defeating the second seed Hubert Hurkacz of Poland 6-4 6-4 to record his third win over a top ten player in recent weeks.
The 22-year-old British No1, forced a break point in the opening game but Hurkacz was able to serve himself out of trouble only to drop his serve midway through the set which proved to be enough for the Brit to claim it and then going on to break for a second time midway through the second which proved sufficient to claim the match a few games laster after holding off three break back chances which Hurkacz raised.
“I was pleased with a lot of things today,” a satisfied Draper said after the match. “I thought my attitude was really good. I got myself out of some tough situations and played the pretty big points on my terms, and that’s something that I’ve wanted to do.
“I know Hubert, I know when he gets time on the ball, he’s so dangerous, probably the best server in the world right now.
“So, I’m really happy with my composure, the way I approached the game, and hopefully I can carry this momentum forward.”
The win over the second seed is Draper’s third against an opponent in the top 10 this year, having beaten Carlos Alcaraz, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Alex de Minaur, results which helped him break into the top 20.
The 22-year-old suffered a disappointing Davis Cup campaign as he lost to Francisco Cerundolo in Britain’s defeat to Argentina, but was able to bounce back in Tokyo with a straight-set win over Mattia Bellucci before beating Hurkacz who became the sixth seeded player to exit the event following first round losses to Taylor Fritz (1), Casper Ruud (3), Stefanos Tsitsipas (4) and Frances Tiafoe (7) plus Tommy Paul’s (5) round two 2-6 6-3 7-6(4) loss to the Czech Tomas Machak.
Also through is the defending champion, America’s Ben Shelton who beat Argentina’s Mariano Navone 6-4 6-3 who now takes on France’s Arthur Fils who benefitted from a retirement from Italy’s Matteo Berrettini after taking the first set 7-6(5).
Local hero Kei Nishikori, a wild card entry, kept home hoped alive with another very solid performance to dispatch the in-form Aussie Jordan Thompson 6-2 6-3.
Holger Rune, the young Dane and with Shelton, the only surviving seeds left at the event, took out another Japanese wildcard entry, Yoshihito Nishioka, 6-2 6-4 and now goes on to face Nishikori while Alex Michlesen of the US, progressed equally comfortably past Aussie Christopher O’Connell 6-1 6-4.
Meanwhile Ugo Humbert powered past Brandon Nakashima 6-3 6-2 with the Frenchman dominating the American with some very aggressive play to secure his last eight place where Draper awaits.
