By Tony Fairbairn
- Jack Draper [Q] def Stefanos Tsitsipas [3] 7-5 7-6(4)
- Draper v Gael Monfils [17] | H2H: First Meeting
MONTREAL, CANADA – Jack Draper earned the biggest win of his career over Stefanos Tsitsipas to set up a last 16 clash with Gael Monfils.
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Jack Draper [Q] def Stefanos Tsitsipas [3] 7-5 7-6(4)
Jack Draper earned the biggest victory of his career as he reached the third round by beating Stefanos Tsitsipas in Montreal. Tsitsipas hadn’t played a match since Wimbledon and the rust showed early as Draper applied the pressure with some ridiculous angles from the baseline. A few unforced errors from the Greek and Draper capitalised to take the break as well as a 2-1 lead.
However Tsitsipas grew into the match using his experience and on-court intelligence to grind the break back in the sixth game as Draper struggled to keep consistent. Both players held serve with poise and accuracy as Tsitsipas won some big points to deny the Brit of a break in games seven and nine. Eventually though Draper would get the break with some delightful shot-making, forcing the errors from the world number five. Draper displayed his raw power once again as he sealed the opening set in 58 minutes with a forehand volley winner.
In the second set both players set up effective patterns of play to earn break point opportunities with neither player capitalising. Draper in particular did well to deny Tsitsipas the early break with his net play proving too sharp for Tsitsipas’ power. After earning the break for 3-1, the Greek couldn’t hold off Draper’s relentless pressure as he converted his third break point opportunity to break back in the very next game.
Draper once again held off the power of Tsitsipas in the sixth game as three break points came and went for the third seed. From then on both players dominated on serve which meant a second set tiebreak would decide the winner. After sharing mini-breaks early on, it was Draper who took control towards the end of the tiebreak and a missed forehand approach shot sealed the biggest win of the Brit’s career to seal a place in the last 16.
Jack Draper [Q] v Gael Monfils [17] H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Jack Draper [Q] v Gael Monfils [17] | H2H: First Meeting |
| ATP Montreal | Montreal, Canada |
| Hard (O) | Prize Money: $79,745 |
| Fourth on Court Central (Not before Midnight BST) | Amazon Prime Video <– Sign up for trial |
Draper’s reward for earning a career best victory is a place in the last 16 where he will face charismatic Frenchman Gael Monfils, who is making his return to the tour this week.
Tale of the Tape – Key Stats (2022)
| H2H: | Jack Draper (WR 82) | Gael Monfils (WR 20) |
| Tournament Previous Best | N/A | SF (2016, 2019) |
| 1st Serve % | 59.2 | 60.5 |
| Service Games Won % | 86.8 | 83.6 |
| Break Points Saved % | 72 | 61.9 |
| 2nd Serve Return Points Won % | 50.9 | 50.9 |
| Break Points Converted % | 38 | 40.4 |
Draper has been the more aggressive and proactive player on serve this season however it’s Monfils who has been the more effective on break point opportunities.
Playing Styles and Prediction
Monfils is playing his first event since Madrid having negotiated through a few injuries and has been impressive having beaten in-form Maxime Cressy in the last round. The Frenchman will look to rediscover the type of form that saw him reach the Australian Open quarter-finals earlier this year.
Draper will look to continue his aggressive form as Monfils has the attributes to counter-attack any powerful tennis that faces him. Should Draper recreate the form that saw him beat Tsitsipas then he should have more than enough to beat Monfils but backing up a big win will be a challenging task and one that will prove useful for the future.
Prediction: Monfils in three sets.
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