Jack Draper made light work of Mattia Bellucci at the Japan Open.
Jack Draper is safely through to the next round of the Japan Open after cruising to a one-sided victory over Mattia Bellucci in Tokyo. The US Open semi-finalist won in straight sets to book a meeting with second seed Hubert Hurkacz in the round of 16.
Draper was made to work hard in the opening set by Bellucci, who made a fast start and looked competitive early on. However, the gulf in class between the two players was clear to see in the second set with Draper converting three break points.
The young Brit raced into a 5-1 lead before wrapping up a comfortable 6-4 6-2 victory over Bellucci with 10 aces to boot. It came just hours after his doubles victory, with Draper and Tomas Machac securing a 4-6 7-6 10-8 win over Alexander Erler and Matwe Middelkoop.
Draper’s victory over Bellucci marked his first singles win in any competition since losing to Jannik Sinner in the semi-finals of the US Open. He recently played for Great Britain at the Davis Cup but was unable to find his best form, losing to Francisco Cerundolo and Felix Auger-Aliassime.
Speaking ahead of the Japan Open, Draper said he was targeting a strong end to the year after breaking into the world’s top 20 with his run to the latter stages of the US Open.
British tennis sensation Jack Draper has successfully advanced to the round of 16 at the Japan Open after a commanding performance against Mattia Bellucci. Draper, fresh off a solid run at the US Open where he reached the semi-finals, took down Bellucci in straight sets, 6-4, 6-2, in a match that highlighted his growing form and potential as one of the sport’s rising stars.
The victory sets up a mouth-watering clash in the next round, where Draper will face the second seed Hubert Hurkacz. With Draper already proving his mettle in recent months, including breaking into the top 20 in the ATP rankings, this next challenge will be crucial as he seeks to end the season on a high.
Hard-Fought Opening Set
Despite the lopsided scoreline, Draper had to battle early on as Bellucci came out strong in the first set. The Italian seemed determined to challenge the Brit, showcasing his own shot-making abilities and taking Draper deep into several games. Bellucci’s aggressive baseline play made for a competitive opening set, where both players exchanged powerful groundstrokes and held their serves under pressure.
However, Draper’s composure and superior all-around game began to shine through. He managed to break Bellucci at a crucial point late in the first set, using his booming serves and tactical precision to close it out at 6-4. This set the stage for Draper to take control of the match.
Draper Dominates the Second Set
While the first set had moments of tight exchanges, the second set was a different story. Draper, riding the momentum of his first set win, elevated his game to another level. His serves became even more powerful, and his forehand consistently found its mark, forcing Bellucci into difficult positions on the court. Draper raced into a 5-1 lead, converting three break points along the way and showing why he has become such a formidable opponent on the ATP tour.
The 10 aces Draper delivered throughout the match were a testament to his serving prowess, with Bellucci having little answer to the Brit’s power game. The Italian fought valiantly but couldn’t keep up with Draper’s relentless pressure. The match was wrapped up in just under an hour and a half, with Draper cruising through the final games to take the second set 6-2.
Strong Doubles Performance
Adding to his successful day, Draper also showcased his versatility by securing a doubles victory just hours before his singles match. Teaming up with Czech player Tomas Machac, Draper helped pull off a thrilling win against the Austrian-Dutch duo Alexander Erler and Matwe Middelkoop. After dropping the first set 4-6, Draper and Machac fought back to win the second set in a tiebreak, 7-6, before clinching the final set in a super tiebreak, 10-8.
This win underlined Draper’s ability to perform in both singles and doubles competition, and his confidence seems to be growing at this late stage in the season.
Draper’s Road to Recovery
Draper’s victory over Bellucci also marks an important moment in his season. It is his first singles win since his remarkable run to the US Open semi-finals, where he was eventually beaten by Jannik Sinner. That run had catapulted Draper into the world’s top 20, an impressive milestone for the 22-year-old.
However, following the US Open, Draper had struggled to maintain his top form. He represented Great Britain in the Davis Cup, where he faced tough losses against Francisco Cerundolo of Argentina and Canadian star Felix Auger-Aliassime. These defeats led to some concerns about Draper’s form heading into the final stretch of the year.
Yet, the Japan Open has provided him with the perfect opportunity to bounce back. His impressive performance against Bellucci will undoubtedly boost his confidence as he eyes a deep run in the tournament.
Focused on Finishing the Year Strong
In an interview before the Japan Open, Draper expressed his desire to finish the year on a strong note. He emphasized how breaking into the top 20 has given him the confidence to push further and reach new heights in his career. Draper’s combination of powerful serving, aggressive baseline play, and mental toughness has made him one of the most exciting young players to watch on the ATP circuit.
As he prepares to face the talented Hubert Hurkacz in the round of 16, Draper will need to be at his best. Hurkacz, known for his big serves and excellent net play, will pose a serious challenge, but Draper has proven that he can go toe-to-toe with the best players in the world.
A Bright Future Ahead
Jack Draper’s performance at the Japan Open is a clear sign that he is ready to continue his upward trajectory in the tennis world. With his blend of power, athleticism, and growing experience, Draper is poised to become a mainstay in the upper echelons of the sport for years to come. His ability to handle both singles and doubles matches with such ease is also indicative of his versatility as a player.
If Draper can maintain this form, especially heading into his clash with Hurkacz, the rest of the tennis world will undoubtedly take notice. A strong finish to the season will solidify his place among the top players, and with the new season just around the corner, Draper will be eager to build on his successes and continue climbing the rankings.
For now, however, all eyes will be on his upcoming matches in Tokyo, where Draper hopes to keep his Japan Open run alive and make a statement to the tennis world.