[ad_1]
Jack Draper continued his Wimbledon preparations with a battling victory over American Marcos Giron to book his place in the quarter-finals of the Stuttgart Open.
Draper, who is threatening Cameron Norrie’s mantle of British men’s No 1, missed the entire grass-court season last year because of injury.
After a straight-sets win over Sebastian Ofner on Monday, Draper found things tougher this time around against Giron, who had comfortably seen off another Brit, Andy Murray, in his first-round match.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Highlights of the Stuttgart Open match between Andy Murray and Marcos Giron
The opening set went on serve until Draper broke in the fifth game, the 22-year-old going on to take it 6-4 in just 31 minutes.
Giron regrouped in the second set. After a key hold in the fifth game, saving five break points, the American broke Draper to move 5-3 up on his way to levelling the match.
However, Draper raced into a 3-0 lead in the deciding set and although Giron continued to battle on, Draper would ultimately clinch a 6-4 3-6 6-3 victory.
“I thought I played a really good first set and then he came back really strong,” Draper said after his win.
“I had a little blip in concentration, but then came out in the third set really strong and was really happy with the way I was able to come through the match.
“He beat Andy Murray yesterday, who is obviously an incredible player and I knew he had such a high level.
“I had to come out and know he was going to bring that, but I was able to stay with him and come through. I am really happy with the way I mentally performed today.”
Defending champion Frances Tiafoe awaits Draper in the quarter-finals
Draper goes on to play another American, Frances Tiafoe, in the last eight after the defending champion beat German Yannick Hanfmann 7-5 7-6 (7-5).
Italian fifth seed Lorenzo Musetti recovered to beat Dominik Koepfer 6-7 (9-11) 7-6 (7-5) 6-3 to also reach the quarter-finals, where he will face Alexander Bublik after he came through 6-1 7-6 (7-4) against Hamad Medjedovic.
What’s coming up on Sky Sports Tennis?
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Find out all the ways to watch tennis on Sky Sports, including the US Open, ATP and WTA tours
In the run-up to the third Grand Slam of 2024 – Wimbledon – you can watch all of the biggest tennis stars in action live on Sky Sports as they compete across the grass-court season.
- Stuttgart Open (ATP 250) – June 10-16
- Rosmalen Open (ATP/WTA 250) – June 10-16
- Berlin Open (WTA 500) – June 17-23
Watch the WTA and ATP Tours throughout 2024 on Sky Sports Tennis. Stream Sky Sports Tennis and more with a NOW Sports Month Membership. No contract, cancel anytime.
[ad_2]
Source link