Jack Draper in the first round of the 2022 Cinch Championships at Queen's Club London, UK
Jack Draper in the first round of the 2022 Cinch Championships at Queen's Club London, UK | (Photo by Tob/TPN/Getty Images)

Tennis | ATP Queen’s Club 2022 | Draper eases past Fritz to set Ruusuvuori second round clash

By Tony Fairbairn

Jack Draper [WC] def Taylor Fritz [4] 6-3 6-2

  • Draper v Emil Ruusuvuori [Q] | H2H: First meeting
LONDON, ENGLAND – Jack Draper was the only successful Brit on day one at Queen’s Club as he earned his best career win by ranking to ease past Taylor Fritz and set up a second round meeting with Emil Ruusuvuori.

 

[table “ADPDAll” not found /]

 

Jack Draper [WC] def Taylor Fritz [4] 6-3 6-2

Embed from Getty Images

Jack Draper earned his career best win by ranking as he demolished fourth seed Taylor Fritz to reach the second round at Queen’s Club. The Brit made his mark from the very beginning of the match as he used his power from both sides to overpower Fritz’s baseline game. In the end it was Draper’s defensive shots that earned him the first break of the match as the American failed to get past the Brit’s mixture of spin and depth.

Having broken serve for a 3-1 lead, Draper continued to work the angles and cause problems for Fritz with powerful shot-making and effective point construction. The American would have some joy off his serve and come into the net to shorten the points up but couldn’t get any attack going on return as Draper comfortably sealed the opening set with an outstretched forehand winner.

Draper continued his dominance in the second set with incredible winners on the run and used looping forehands to extract more unforced errors from the Indian Wells champion as the Brit sealed the break in the opening game. After saving break point in the next game, Draper continued to pound groundstrokes to the weakened defence of Fritz and would finish points off at the net effectively.

Celebrating his first match as a top 100 player, Draper celebrated in style as he broke again for a 4-1 lead and served out the win with his eighth ace of the match as he sealed a place in the second round.

 

Jack Draper [WC] v Emil Ruusuvuori [Q]   H2H & Match Fundamentals

Embed from Getty Images

Jack Draper [WC] v Emil Ruusuvuori [Q] H2H: First meeting
ATP Queen’s Club London, England
Grass (O) Prize Money: €31,215
Third on Centre Court, not before 3pm BST Amazon Prime Video <– Sign up for trial

Draper will now face qualifier Emil Ruusuvuori in the second round with the world number 56 beating former champion Feliciano Lopez to reach the main draw.

 

Tale of the Tape – Key Stats (2022)

H2H: Jack Draper (WR 99) Emil Ruusuvuori (WR 56)
Tournament Previous Best R2 (2021) N/A
1st Serve % 55.2 68.2
Service Games Won % 85.2 78.1
Break Points Saved % 71.4 61.5
2nd Serve Return Points Won % 54.9 53
Break Points Converted % 39 43

Draper has the edge in most of the statistics but will need to be aware of Ruusuvuori’s first serve percentage and break point conversion rate.

 

Browse the Britwatch Sports Amazon Page for our latest Tennis equipment recommendations

 

Playing Styles and Prediction

Ruusuvuori hasn’t had the best of seasons and hasn’t won back to back main draw matches since Munich in April. Despite getting some decent wins this season, Ruusuvuori hasn’t made the impact that he did last season and will be hoping that form arrives sooner rather than later.

Draper will look to be aggressive and make the first move as Ruusuvuori has a consistent serve as well as an ability to dictate play easily. Should the Brit obtain a similar level to the one against Fritz than he should win easily but this match is an ultimate test of his consistency.

Prediction: Draper in straight sets.

 

Grigor Dimitrov def Cameron Norrie [3] 6-7(2) 6-1 6-4; Marin Cilic [7] def Liam Broady [WC] 6-1 4-6 7-5

Embed from Getty Images

However Draper was the only British winner of day as Cameron Norrie and Liam Broady crashed out in the opening round. Norrie had made a good start to the match as he didn’t allow Grigor Dimitrov into the match and continued to hold serve comfortably throughout the opening set. Norrie overcame stiff resistance from an aggressive Dimitrov as he took the opening tiebreak 7-2.

In the second set Dimitrov’s shot-making and power increased as Norrie’s level decreased with a flurry of unforced errors entered his game. An early double break for Dimitrov sealed the second set comfortably as Norrie had work to do. Both players had aggressive starts to the set but in the end it was Dimitrov who took his chances when it mattered most.

Norrie couldn’t convert four break point opportunities and Dimitrov broke in the fifth game and sealed an impressive display with a hold to 15 to seal victory and a place in the second round.

Embed from Getty Images

Meanwhile Broady put on a great display against a confident Marin Cilic but ultimately was edged out. Cilic made an aggressive start to the match breaking on three occasions as he went up a set and a break in double quick time. However Broady settled into his rhythm and the Croatian all of the sudden lost his momentum as the Brit broke twice to edge the second set 6-4.

Both players held impressively throughout the third set as it looked like the deciding set was heading to a tiebreak. However it was Cilic who sealed the crucial break in the eleventh game to seal victory and a lucky escape into the second round.

 

 

How to Watch/Follow ATP Queen’s Club

Live Stream BBC Two 

Amazon Prime Video <– Sign up for trial

Live Scores Tennis Live Scores on Britwatch Sports

 

Support Britwatch – Sign up to PBLC for free to support ongoing contributions from Britwatch Sports