Jack Draper is proving to be a standout player this season, displaying a remarkable blend of skill and self-assurance that has propelled him to the forefront of the tennis elite. His impressive end-of-season performance persisted as he clinched a significant victory over American Taylor Fritz, triumphing 7-6 (6), 4-6, 6-4 in a highly charged match that propelled him into the last 16 of the prestigious Paris Masters.
“I competed really well,” Draper expressed after the match. “My tennis wasn’t great, but that’s the nature of the [fast] conditions. I don’t think anyone is finding it easy to play. The court’s incredibly fast, making it tough to hit good groundstrokes and maintain consistency. However, I focused on my serve, gave it my all, and fought hard to secure the win against a top-10 player, so I’m really pleased with that.”
This latest triumph signifies Draper’s fourth victory over a top-10 opponent this year, highlighting his capability to thrive under pressure. He has now secured four wins out of his last five matches against elite players, with the exception of a loss to world No 1 Jannik Sinner at the US Open. Remarkably, Draper is currently riding a seven-match winning streak, which includes his recent victory at the Vienna Open, marking his first ATP 500 title.
Draper arrived in Paris after a late finish in Vienna, promptly adapting to the demands of the fast-paced courts at Bercy. Notably, these courts are recognized as the quickest among this year’s Masters 1000 events, a significant factor contributing to the challenge faced by players.
From the initial exchanges, Draper set an aggressive tone, stepping inside the baseline and aiming to dominate with his powerful forehand. Despite a hiccup where he struggled to serve out the first set at 5-4, Draper displayed resilience, ultimately closing it out on his third set point in a nail-biting tiebreak. The second set, however, saw a pivotal moment when Fritz endured six break points in a mammoth game at 3-2, managing to hold serve against the pressure.
Draper’s efforts faltered momentarily as he opened a service game at 3-3 with a double fault and lost that game without winning a point. As frustration mounted towards the end of the second set, he regrouped and refocused after finding himself down 0-30 at the start of the third. With steadfast determination, Draper maintained his service throughout the final set, seizing the moment to break Fritz at 5-4, thereby securing a thrilling victory.
“I had to accept my missed opportunities in the second set, regroup, and recognize that I needed to do better,” he reflected. “I can’t change the past; I had to concentrate on the future and compete as well as I could to give myself a good chance. I knew it wouldn’t be pretty, but Fritz was struggling too, so I’m really proud of my perseverance throughout every point.”
With little time to celebrate this victory, Draper must prepare for his next challenge against ninth seed Alex de Minaur, set to take place in less than 24 hours on Thursday afternoon.
In other news from the tournament circuit, Katie Boulter advanced to the quarter-finals of the Hong Kong Open, securing a hard-fought 7-6(7), 6-4 victory against China’s Xiyu Wang.
**Interview with Jack Draper: Rising Star of Tennis**
**Editor:** Jack, congratulations on your recent victory over Taylor Fritz at the Paris Masters! How are you feeling after such an intense match?
**Jack Draper:** Thank you! I’m feeling really pleased with the outcome. It was a tough match, but I competed well. Getting a win against a top-10 player like Taylor is always a confidence booster.
**Editor:** You mentioned that the conditions were challenging. Can you elaborate on how the fast court affected your gameplay?
**Jack Draper:** Absolutely. The courts here are incredibly quick, which makes it difficult to hit good groundstrokes consistently. I found that focusing on my serve was key to my strategy. It’s all about adapting your game to the conditions, and I think I did that effectively.
**Editor:** This victory marks your fourth win against a top-10 opponent this year. How do you feel about your performance against elite players?
**Jack Draper:** I’m really proud of that. Competing at that level is always challenging, but I’ve shown that I can thrive under pressure. Each match helps build my confidence, and I’m excited to keep pushing myself against the best players.
**Editor:** You’ve been on a remarkable seven-match winning streak, including your first ATP 500 title in Vienna. What has contributed to this success?
**Jack Draper:** It’s been a great period for me, and I think it comes down to a mix of hard work and belief in my game. The win in Vienna really helped raise my confidence, and I’ve been building on that momentum. Now, it’s all about staying focused and taking things one match at a time.
**Editor:** With your impressive start to the season and good form heading into the Paris Masters, what are your goals for the rest of the tournament?
**Jack Draper:** I want to keep competing at my best. Obviously, the goal is to go deep in the tournament. Each match is a chance to learn and grow, and I’m ready to fight for every point.
**Editor:** Jack, we appreciate your time and wish you the best of luck in your upcoming matches!
**Jack Draper:** Thank you! I appreciate it.
