By Glenys Furness
- Jack Draper claims fourth Challenger title of the year
- Brit enters top 150 in the rankings
- Dropped two sets en route
SAINT-BRIUEC, BRITTANY, FRANCE – Jack Draper entered the Challenger event and was the fifth seed. The Brit went on to win the event, his fourth title of the year.
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Brit of the Week
Jack Draper entered the ATP challenger event in Saint-Briuec and was the fifth seed. The Brit drew Illya Marchenko in the first round. The Ukranian found Draper too strong in the first set and managed to break the Ukranian serve to take the lead. The second set was very close. Marchenko stayed toe to toe with the Brit and forced a tiebreak. Draper managed to take the lead in the breaker and sealed the match in straight sets 6-3, 7-6.
In the second round the Brit was against Robin Haase. The Dutchman was no match for the fifth seed in the first set. Draper dominated as Haase struggled. The Brit soon had the lead. The second set was a little closer, as the Dutchman stayed with Draper. Ultimately, though the Brit broke through and sealed the match in straight sets 6-2, 6-.3.
The quarter-final saw Draper against Frenchman Evan Furness. The Brit was in dominating form and had little trouble against Furness, easing through the first set. The second was much the same, the Frenchman struggled on serve and the Brit took advantage. Draper eased through to the semi-final 6-2, 6-1.
In the semi-final Draper was against another Frenchman, Antoine Escoffier. In a topsy turvey match the Brit dominated the first set with Escoffier holding serve a couple of times. The next set saw the Frenchman in total control, Escoffier broke at will and the seed was unable to hold serve. The final set saw the Brit back to dominating, and Draper broke without any problem. Escoffier couldn’t hold serve and the seed moved into the final 6-2, 0-6, 6-0.
The final saw Draper against Belgian Zizou Bergs. The qualifier had made the final playing only 2 matches. The Brit took control in the first set, dominating the game of Bergs. The Belgian could not get back in the set. The second set was much closer. Bergs began to settle into the match, staying toe to toe with the Brit. Just as it looked like a tiebreak was on the cards, the Belgian broke Draper and levelled up the match. The fifth seed was not giving up without a fight, and in the final set, both players went toe to toe. Evenutally Draper secured the break of serve needed and claimed his fourth challenger title of the year 6-2, 5-7, 6-4.
Honourable Mention
Oscar Weightman entered qualifying in ITF Monastir, Tunisia. The Brit made it through to the main draw. His first round opponent was Sebastian Dominko. The Slovenian stayed with the Brit in the first set, however Weightman managed to break serve and take the lead. The second set saw the Brit dominate without losing a game and move into the next round 6-4, 6-0.
In the second round the Brit was against sixth seed Terence Atmane. The Frenchman was dominated from start to finish by Weightman. The Brit barely put a foot wrong, losing only one game. Despite his best efforts, the seed was just outplayed by the Brit. Weightman moved into the next round 6-1, 6-0.
The quarter-final saw the Brit against Chinese player Li Hanwen. The Brit once again dominated from the start, although clearly Hanwen had a problem. This was confirmed when the Chinese player was forced to retire from the match and hand victory to Weightman 4-1 (RET).
In the semi-final the Brit was against the fifth seed Li Zhe. Weightman dominated the first set as the Chinese player struggled with his game. The Brit soon had the lead. However, the seed regrouped in the second set, and managed to break the serve of Weightman and level up the match. The final set once again saw the Brit dominate as Zhe was unable to get anything on the serve of Weightman. The Brit progressed to the final 6-2, 4-6, 6-2.
The final saw Weightman against eighth seed Jumpei Yamasaki. The Japanese was no match for the Brit who dominated from start to finish. Weightman eased through as the eighth seed could do nothing against Weightman. The Brit took the title in straight sets 6-2, 6-2.
Challenger & ITF Round Up
Ryan Peniston was defeated by Antonie Escoffier in the quarter-final in Saint-Brieuc 6-2, 1-6, 6-1.
Alastair Gray was defeated by Quentin Halys in the quarter-final in Saint Brieuc 6-3, 7-5.
Luc Koenig was defeated by Simon Carr in the first round in Monastir 6-3, 7-5.
Danielle Daly was defeated by Eun Ji Lee in the first round in Monastir 2-6, 6-3, 7-6(3).
Billy Harris was defeated by Hamad Medjedovic in the quarter-final in Antalya 6-3, 6-2.
Naiktha Bains was defeated by Fernanda Contreras Gomez in the second round in Australia 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.
Matilda Mutavdzic was defeated by Valeria Savinykh in the first round in Pretoria 6-2, 6-0.
Katie Swan was defeated by Lina Glushko in the first round in Pretoria 6-3, 6-3.
Jodie Burrage was defeated by Carole Monnet in the second round in Pretoria 4-6, 6-2, 7-5.
Yuriko Lily Miyazaki was defeated by Lina Glushko in the semi-final in Pretoria 3-6, 6-4, 6-3.
Abigail Amos was defeated by Yasmin Ezzat in the first round in Sharm El Sheikh 6-3, 6-2.
Emma Wilson was defeated by Linda Klimovicova in the second round in Sharm El Sheikh 2-6, 6-2, 6-3.
Jasmine Conway was defeated by Gozal Ainitdinova in the second round in Sharm El Sheikh 6-2, 6-1.
Next week Brits play in Warwick, Marrakech, Mexico City, Ecuador, Egypt, Tunisia, Charleston, Bogota & South Africa.
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