By Tony Fairbairn
- Jack Draper def Felix Auger-Aliassime 5-7 6-4 6-4
- Draper v Holger Rune [15] | H2H: First Meeting
CINCINNATI, USA – Jack Draper won a dramatic three set thriller with Felix Auger-Aliassime to set up a quarter-final with Holger Rune in Cincinnati.
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Jack Draper def Felix Auger-Aliassime 5-7 6-4 6-4
Jack Draper backed up his win over Stefanos Tsitsipas with a thrilling three set victory over Felix Auger-Aliassime that ended in controversy. It was a positive start from Draper as the Brit tested Auger-Aliassime’s serve early on with some aggressive returning, moving the Canadian from side to side.
There was a good response from Auger-Aliassime though as he won all the big points and gradually gained confidence on serve as the set went on. Meanwhile Draper continued to be effective on the forehand side as there was minimal fuss on serve although the world number 28 couldn’t be clinical on serve.
That was proven in the ninth game when Draper had two break points to take a 5-4 lead but couldn’t take them with the Canadian maintaining his advantage. It was a moment that was a turning point in the opening set as Auger-Aliassime responded with a confident return game in the twelfth game, breaking to 15 to seal the opening set in 61 minutes.
Having secured a big win in his previous round, Draper wasn’t about to be intimidated as he continued to apply returning pressure in the second set. The persistent pressure paid off in the fifth game as the British number one broke in the fifth game with a double fault from Auger-Aliassime with Draper taking a 3-2 lead.
The depth and the placement from Draper continued to be exquisite as he more than matched the pace that Auger-Aliassime was producing on the other side of the net. Although the Canadian continued to cruise through his service games, it was Draper who was the more proactive on serve and return as the Brit comfortably secured the second set to level the match at one set all.
In the final set, Draper continued to apply pressure on Auger-Aliassime’s serve as the Brit remained proactive yet persistent on return. A big roar followed from the Canadian as he held in a tight service game to begin the deciding set with some attacking tennis. Neither player was giving any free points away but it was Draper who always looked like the player who was going to break first as Auger-Aliassime’s service games were longer.
Eventually Auger-Aliassime’s resistance on serve would be broken despite the Canadian producing some incredible play when facing his first two break points in the seventh game. On the third break point Draper would break and seal the pivotal blow as a couple of games he would have two match points.
Then the controversial part of the match. After having one match point saved, Draper would convert his second match point in dramatic fashion. Replays showed that Draper had hit the ball into the ground before the ball hit the net cord and went over the other side of the net.
The umpire ruled that it was Draper’s point which meant the Brit sealed the win. However a bemused and frustrated Auger-Aliassime was not happy labelling the decision as ‘ridiculous’ and also blamed Draper for not knowing that he hit an illegal shot. Despite the supervisor coming onto court and Draper wanting to replay the point, the decision stood and Draper booked a place in the quarter-finals.
Jack Draper v Holger Rune [15] H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Jack Draper v Holger Rune [15] | H2H: First Meeting |
| ATP Cincinnati 2024 | Cincinnati, USA |
| Hard (O) | Prize Money: $170,940 |
| Fifth on Center Court (01:30 BST) | Sky/Now TV <- Subscription Required |
Draper will now aim to reach his firs Cincinnati semi-final when he takes on 15th seed Holger Rune.
Tale of the Tape – Key Stats (2024)
| H2H: | Jack Draper (WR 28) | Holger Rune (WR 16) |
| Tournament Previous Best | N/A | R2 (2023) |
| 1st Serve % | 58.8 | 59.5 |
| Service Games Won % | 83 | 83.6 |
| Break Points Saved % | 56.8 | 65.7 |
| 2nd Serve Return Points Won % | 50.6 | 48.3 |
| Break Points Converted % | 43.3 | 36.7 |
Draper’s clinical returning could prove crucial against an inconsistent player like Rune with a lot on the line for both players.
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Playing Styles and Prediction
Rune has had a consistent season in big tournaments with back-to-back fourth round results at Roland Garros and Wimbledon. However overall the Dane has been disappointing and will now aim to turn his fortunes around in America as he needs to step up his game in order to live up to his potential.
Draper will aim to be clinical on return as he looks to use a mixture of depth and power to force Rune behind the baseline. The Dane will need to serve well in order to dictate play and be aggressive as he will use the backhand to force Draper into uncomfortable positions in the court. This will be a tough test for Draper but the Brit should be full of confidence and will use that confidence to his advantage in this blockbuster match.
Prediction: Draper in three sets.
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