By Tony Fairbairn
- Jack Draper def Tommy Paul [8] 6-4 6-4
- Draper v Karen Khachanov [3] | H2H: Khachanov leads 2-0
ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – Jack Draper reached the quarter-finals in Adelaide with a straight sets victory over Tommy Paul and now sets up an Adelaide rematch with Karen Khachanov.
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Jack Draper def Tommy Paul [8] 6-4 6-4
Jack Draper is into his first quarter-final of the season after an impressive straight sets victory over Tommy Paul in Adelaide. After failing to reach the last eight in the first Adelaide event, Draper knew he had to be clinical if he wanted to be in the quarter-finals this week. After a slow start that’s what Draper was as he converted two of three break points in the opening set.
However it took the Brit awhile to get going as the American took the early break in the fourth game as he broke in a long game to take a 3-1 lead. Paul was always going to embrace the war of attrition and the eighth seed managed to extend a couple of the early games.
Draper did manage to set most of the tempo in the second half of the set as he shortened the points and managed to be efficient in holding serve. This allowed the Brit to save his energy for the return games in which he broke on two consecutive occasions towards the end of the set to take a 5-4 lead. The world number 40 then made it four games in a row as he closed out the opening set to love.
The start of the second set saw Draper become more aware of Paul’s gameplan as he continued to be as efficient and clinical as possible. The Brit took advantage in the third game breaking for a 2-1 lead as Paul lacked his usual consistency. The American, playing his first tournament of the year, was clearly rusty and tried to work his way back into form in the eighth game as he created three break points.
However Draper saved them all with good serving and the Brit would comfortably close out the match to seal his place in the last eight in Adelaide.
Jack Draper v Karen Khachanov [3] H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Jack Draper v Karen Khachanov [3] | H2H: Khachanov leads 2-0 |
| ATP Adelaide 2 2023 | Adelaide, Australia |
| Hard (O) | Prize Money: $19,425 |
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Draper now faces the player he lost to last week in the first Adelaide event in the form of third seed Karen Khachanov.
Tale of the Tape – Key Stats (2022)
| H2H: | Jack Draper (WR 40) | Karen Khachanov (WR 20) |
| Tournament Previous Best | N/A | Final (2022) |
| 1st Serve % | 58.1 | 64.2 |
| Service Games Won % | 85.4 | 82 |
| Break Points Saved % | 71.3 | 64.1 |
| 2nd Serve Return Points Won % | 52.4 | 49.3 |
| Break Points Converted % | 40.9 | 40.5 |
Draper will need to return better than he did in their match last week as Khachanov’s serve has been a key area of improvement for the world number 20.
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Playing Styles and Prediction
Khachanov is heading into the Australian Open in good form having reached back-to-back quarter-finals in Adelaide. The Russian’s forehand and angles off the backhand side caused Draper problems last week and Khachanov will look to implement a similar tactic in this match.
Draper will look for the perfect mix of power and depth to cause Khachanov problems but the Brit will need to make the Russian run more on the backhand side. This will be a test of Draper’s mental and tactical game heading into the first Grand Slam of the year and whether the Brit can beat top 20 opposition when it matters most.
Prediction: Khachanov in three sets.
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