- Jack Draper [WC] def Gilles Simon 7-5 6-1
- Draper v Cameron Norrie [10] | H2H: Norrie leads 1-0
MIAMI, USA – Jack Draper earned his first Masters 1000 victory with a straight sets win over Gilles Simon and now faces fellow Brit Cameron Norrie in the second round.
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Jack Draper [WC] def Gilles Simon 7-5 6-1
Jack Draper won his first masters 1000 match of his career after a straight sets win over ATP veteran Gilles Simon. Draper put the Frenchman under early pressure with consistent power hitting on return with Simon failing to neutralise the points. After not converting a break point in the third game, a deadly backhand cross-court winner eventually sealed the break in the fifth game as he took a 3-2 lead.
In tough conditions, the Brit still managed to remain aggressive and used good variety in rallies to threaten the double break. However Simon used his experience and would grind out a service hold which would be followed by a break back. Draper missed a simple forehand cross-court as the Brit was over-aggressive with the set now being level at 4-4.
The Frenchman managed to frustrate Draper towards the crucial part of the set with some good defensive play but the Brit managed to regain his composure to create two break points in the eleventh game. A missed forehand volley from Simon handed the break to Draper who would then close out the set to love to bring a 61 minute set to a close.
In the second set Draper continued on the front-foot and managed to break twice in the opening part of the set. The Brit didn’t have the set all his own way as the intelligent Simon managed to put Draper under pressure creating five break points in his opening two return games. However the 20 year-old produced some powerful play to hold his serve to take a 4-0 lead.
That was the crucial momentum swing Draper needed as he would break a third time towards the end of the set to seal his maiden masters 1000 victory and a place in the second round in Miami.
Jack Draper [WC] v Cameron Norrie [10] H2H & Match Fundamentals
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Jack Draper [WC] v Cameron Norrie [10] |
H2H: Norrie leads 1-0 |
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ATP Miami |
Miami, USA |
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Hard (O) |
Prize Money: $30,130 |
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First on Grandstand at 11am (3pm GMT) |
Amazon Prime Video <– Sign up for trial |
Draper now takes on fellow Brit Cameron Norrie who reached the quarter-finals at Indian Wells last week in his first Masters 1000 title defence of his career.
Tale of the Tape – Key Stats (2022 – Hard)
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H2H: |
Jack Draper (WR 146) |
Cameron Norrie (WR 12) |
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Tournament Previous Best |
R1 (2021) |
R3 (2021) |
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1st Serve % |
63.5 |
66.4 |
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Service Games Won % |
88.9 |
81.1 |
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Break Points Saved % |
85.7 |
57.6 |
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2nd Serve Return Points Won % |
61.3 |
56.3 |
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Break Points Converted % |
62.5 |
44.6 |
Norrie will look to be clinical on serve and return and dictate the match on his terms otherwise Draper’s power could overpower the world number 12.
Playing Styles and Prediction
After a rough start to the season, Norrie has improved his level and produced a respectable title defence at Indian Wells where he lost in the quarter-finals to an in-form Carlos Alcaraz. The Brit will now be hoping to earn more points this week in Miami heading into his favourite time of the season, the European clay court swing.
This will be a different test for Draper and will need to be really consistent with his power in attacking situations. Furthermore Norrie will test Draper’s defensive skills to a whole new level which the world number 146 hasn’t experienced on the challenger tour. This will be a great match for Draper’s development but just a step too far in the short-term.
Prediction: Norrie in straight sets.
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