By Tony Fairbairn
- Jack Draper def Soonwoo Kwon [Q] 6-2 6-1
- Draper v Karen Khachanov [8] | H2H: Khachanov leads 1-0
ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – Jack Draper started his 2023 season with an emphatic straight sets win over Soonwoo Kwon to set up a second round clash with Karen Khachanov.
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Jack Draper def Soonwoo Kwon [Q] 6-2 6-1
Jack Draper started the new season where he left off last year as he emphatically defeated South Korean qualifier Soonwoo Kwon in straight sets. Draper dominated from the baseline as neutralised Kwon’s serve and powered past the South Korean’s defence with ease. The Brit broke in the opening game as he made the perfect start to the opening match of the 2023 season.
Kwon provided very little threat as the only break points he managed to create was in the second game with Draper lacking consistency on serve. However the world number 42 survived the scare to hold and continued to dictate play on return, creating three break points in a long fifth game.
Even though Draper couldn’t break in the fifth game, the Brit secured the break in the seventh game with some clinical baseline play. The Brit convincingly served out the set in 37 minutes as he dominated the South Korean.
The second set was no different as the only game Kwon won was the opening game, where the qualifier had to save three break points just to hold. The South Korean couldn’t take advantage of the Brit’s 51% first serve percentage as Draper proved to be too clinical, breaking in his next three return games to seal his place in the second round.
Jack Draper v Karen Khachanov [8] H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Jack Draper v Karen Khachanov [8] | H2H: Khachanov leads 1-0 |
| ATP Adelaide 2023 | Adelaide, Australia |
| Hard (O) | Prize Money: $10,655 |
| First on ShowCourt One (00:30 GMT) | TennisTV <- Subscription Required |
Draper will now face Karen Khachanov in the second round with their only previous meeting being at the US Open last year with the Brit having to retire at one set all.
Tale of the Tape – Key Stats (2022)
| H2H: | Jack Draper (WR 42) | Karen Khachanov (WR 20) |
| Tournament Previous Best | N/A | Final (2022) |
| 1st Serve % | 58.2 | 64.1 |
| Service Games Won % | 85.6 | 82 |
| Break Points Saved % | 71.4 | 64 |
| 2nd Serve Return Points Won % | 52.7 | 49 |
| Break Points Converted % | 40.3 | 40.8 |
Draper will be aware of Khachanov’s efficiency on break points heading into this match as the Brit aims to improve his first serve percentage.
Playing Styles and Prediction
Khachanov made his big Grand Slam breakthrough at the US Open last year where he reached the semi-finals. The Russian has a big serve, big groundstrokes and on his day can beat any player in the world with his aggressive shot-making. Now Khachanov will look to achieve some consistency on the regular tour and will aim to win some titles this season.
Draper will need to keep a high level of first serves in and will need to defend well against Khachanov’s power. The Brit will look to target most of his attacking shots towards Khachanov’s backhand as he looks to create simple unforced errors from the Russian.
Meanwhile Khachanov will look to force Draper behind the baseline as far as possible aiming to create more space on the court for winners. This will be a tough test for Draper but if he can serve well and consistently trouble Khachanov’s backhand then he could edge this match.
Prediction: Draper in three sets.
Jannik Sinner [6] def Kyle Edmund [PR] 6-3 6-2
As Draper looks ahead to the second round, Kyle Edmund was unsuccessful as he lost in straight sets to sixth seed Jannik Sinner. Edmund made a good start to the match as he held serve with ease but the Brit was broken in the fourth game by the clinical Italian. Sinner only needed one break point as he was untroubled on serve and closed out the opening set to love.
Once again Edmund started the second set well but couldn’t trouble Sinner on return as the Brit was broken on two consecutive occasions in the second set. The world number 15 made no mistake as he sealed a place in the second round with a love service hold. Edmund is currently the first alternate at the second event in Adelaide which starts next week.
How to Watch/Follow ATP Adelaide 2023
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