Cincinnati Open: Jack Draper ousts Stefanos Tsitsipas in three-set thriller | News Tennis

British No 1 Jack Draper reeled off the last three games to produce a gutsy three-set victory over ninth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas at the Cincinnati Open on Saturday.

Tsitsipas went into the match at 5-4 in the third set, but Draper won 12 of the last 17 points to win 3-6 6-4 7-5 and reach the third round.

“I think Stefanos has a great presence and the court is so fast, it’s hard to play good tennis,” Draper said. Sky Sports.

“In the first hour, I really struggled … and that was not good enough against these top players.

“Overall, my grit, determination and attitude won me the match today, so I’m very proud.”

Draper required medical time out in his first-round win over Jaume Munar, but looked free in the early exchanges.

Tsitsipas made a decisive break to lead 3-1 and despite taking a shot-clock offence, the Greek world number 11 fended off several break points for Draper before closing out the opening set.

Draper rallied again for the second set, this time holding his serve well, before forcing home a break point opportunity in the 10th game after a double fault by Tsitsipas to level the match.

However, the 22-year-old was soon under pressure again as Tsitsipas had three break points in the opening game of the deciding set, but Draper recovered to hold the key.

Tsitsipas seems to have taken a decisive break in the ninth game, only then to find himself 0-40 down after another call for a time violation and a double fault, which saw Draper back on level terms at 5-5.

Draper, who is currently ranked 28th in the ATP rankings, kept the pressure on Tsitsipas again before turning in a superb return to secure another victory.

Draper is now 2-0 against Tsitsipas and will be up against the seventh-seeded champion Casper Ruud or Felix Auger-Aliassime for a place in the quarter finals.

Tale of the Tape

Alexander Zverev became the first player to reach 50 tour-level victories this season after beating Karen Khachanov 6-3 6-2 to win her opener.

“I feel good on the court,” said Zverev, who lifted the trophy in Cincinnati in 2021. “I feel good in practice and then it’s easier to take it to the court. I didn’t feel well in Canada, although in some matches I won, I hope my form is improving and I can play good tennis.

“We are very similar players. We are both very tall and good baseline players and when we both play it is about form and who plays better and today I am happy that it is me and I won well today.”

elsewhere, Hubert Hurkacz through 3-6 7-6 (7-4) 6-1 against qualifier Yoshihito Nishioka, who was given a game penalty for a code violation after hitting the ball into the crowd as frustration boiled over during the deciding set.

Number 7 in the world Andrei Rublev defeated China’s Zhizhen Zhang 6-4 6-3 to enter the last 16. Holger Rune came through 6-3 7-6 (10-8) against Nuno Borges.

American Ben Shelton delighted the home crowd as he cruised to a 6-7 (8-6) 7-6 (9-7) 6-3 win over Argentina’s Tomas Martin Etcheverry.

However, Grigor Dimitrov suffered an unexpected defeat from Hungary Fabian Marozsanwho fought from behind to win 4-6 6-4 6-3.

What’s next for Sky Sports Tennis?

In the future of the last Grand Slam in 2024 – the US Open – you can watch all the biggest tennis stars in action. live on Sky Sports they are competing in the hard-court season.

• Cincinnati Open (ATP 1000) – Until August 19
• Cincinnati Open (WTA 1000) – Until August 19
• Winston-Salem Open (ATP 250) – August 18-24
• Tennis on the Ground, Cleveland (WTA 250) – August 18-24
• Abierto GNP Seguros, Monterrey (WTA 500) – August 19-24
• US Open (ATP/WTA) – August 26 – September 8

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