By Tony Fairbairn
- Jack Draper [15] def Mariano Navone 4-6 6-3 3-6 6-3 6-2
- Draper v Thanasi Kokkinakis | H2H: Draper leads 2-1
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – Jack Draper survived a scare from Mariano Navone in order to reach the second round of the Australian Open where he will now face Thanasi Kokkinakis.
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Jack Draper [15] def Mariano Navone 4-6 6-3 3-6 6-3 6-2
Jack Draper struggled to his first win of the season as he defeated Argentinian Mariano Navone in five sets. The British number one was playing his first match of the 2025 season and the signs of rust was evident as he faced break points in the opening game. After holding in the opening game, Draper created opportunities of his own but lacked that clinical edge as he would be broken for 2-1.
Although Draper’s level was nowhere near good enough, credit has got to go to Navone who clearly had improved during the off-season. The Argentinian was aggressive especially with the forehand and came to the net to finish points off quickly. This aggression was rewarded with four more break points, putting pressure on Draper’s serve. The British number one lived up to the pressure but was unable to establish dominance on return with Navone easily securing the opening set in 50 minutes.
There was work for Draper to do and the Brit produced a much better start to the second set, establishing authority on the forehand side and dictating play. In a long second game, Draper broke before consolidating for a 3-0 lead and seized control of the match. There were signs of consistent weakness in Navone’s game and Draper took advantage as he would seal a double break lead for 5-1.
However, the set wouldn’t be done yet with Navone displaying his resilience which would be a theme of the next spell of the match. The Argentinian secured one of the breaks back with Draper becoming more passive and the Brit allowed Navone to gain more confidence. At the second time of asking Draper did close out the second set as this match was at one set all.
In the third set, Draper continued the momentum as he produced some sensational forehands to mix up his play as he broke in the opening game. Normally Draper would use this initiative and take control of the contest but that proved to not be the case as he took his foot off the gas, allowing Navone to break back immediately.
The British number one’s match rust was evident as he lacked ruthlessness in the Melbourne heat and was struggling with conditions. Navone took advantage to break again for a 3-1 lead and never really looked like conceding the break back as he continued to be efficient at the net. There was a lot of Argentinians in the crowd and they gave Navone a new lease of life with the world number 47 saving three break points in the ninth game to take the third set 6-3.
If Draper wanted to advance then he would have to repeat the trick of winning in five sets and that’s what would eventually happen with the Brit slowly going through the gears. The comeback wouldn’t happen without some setbacks though with Draper’s initial break advantage being neutralized immediately as Navone broke back in the third game.
This was a match that Draper made hard work of and had to fend off more break points in the fifth game with Navone sensing a real opportunity of causing an upset. The upset didn’t happen though as a resilient Draper powered through the latter stages of the set, breaking in the eighth game and levelling the match at two sets all.
In the final set Navone was starting to struggle with cramp and despite Draper’s struggles, the Brit turned up the intensity in the final set. The British number one broke in the third game before saving more break points in the fourth game to take a 3-1 lead. The final blow would be secured after Draper broke in the fifth game for a double break lead which was followed by a huge roar from the 15th seed.
After four long hours, Draper closed out the win and booked his place in the second round of the Australian Open for a second consecutive year.
Jack Draper [15] v Thanasi Kokkinakis H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Jack Draper [15] v Thanasi Kokkinakis | H2H: Draper leads 2-1 |
| Australian Open 2025 | Melbourne, Australia |
| Hard (O) | Prize Money: A$200,000 |
| Fourth on John Cain Arena (Not before 08:00 GMT) | Discovery+ Add-on via Amazon Prime
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Draper will now take on Thanasi Kokkinakis in an electric second round match as Draper bids to reach the third round in Melbourne for the first time.
Tale of the Tape – Key Stats (Last 52 Weeks)
| H2H: | Jack Draper (WR 18) | Thanasi Kokkinakis (WR 71) |
| Tournament Previous Best | Second Round (2024) | Second Round (2014, 2015, 2021, 2023, 2024) |
| 1st Serve % | 58.7 | 68.7 |
| Service Games Won % | 84 | 86 |
| Break Points Saved % | 61.2 | 78.8 |
| 2nd Serve Return Points Won % | 50.9 | 50.5 |
| Break Points Converted % | 43.6 | 40 |
Although Draper’s returning efficiency will prove crucial in this match, the British number one will need to improve his serving under pressure if he wants to win this match.
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Playing Styles and Prediction
Kokkinakis had a decent season last year where he picked up a couple of Challenger titles as well as some good wins on the main tour. The Australian has a dynamic and powerful game and if it wasn’t for injuries, Kokkinakis could be a consistent threat inside the world’s top 30. Now Kokkinakis will aim for a deep run in Melbourne which could be the catalyst for bigger things this season.
Draper will look to use the forehand to dictate play on the baseline as he aims to create angles on the court, moving Kokkinakis into uncomfortable positions on the court. Meanwhile Kokkinakis is looking to use his first serve in order to force shorter returns from Draper and set up the backhand for big winners. This will be a competitive match with both players targeting a place in the third round for the first time and with both players having question marks over their fitness, anything could happen in this contest.
Prediction: Draper in four sets.
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