British tennis star Jack Draper delivered an impressive comeback at the Cincinnati Open on Thursday, defeating ninth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas in a thrilling three-set match. Draper, the British No. 1, executed a remarkable turnaround after losing the first set, ultimately securing a 3-6, 6-4, 7-5 victory.
The match showcased intense competition as Tsitsipas served for the win at 5-4 in the third set. However, in a display of resilience, Draper rallied back to win 12 of the last 17 points, sealing his place in the third round. Reflecting on the match, Draper acknowledged the challenges posed by Tsitsipas’ presence on the court and the fast playing conditions. “In the first hour, I really struggled, and facing top players, that just isn’t good enough,” he expressed. He credited his determination and attitude as key factors in his victory.
Draper, currently ranked 28th in the ATP standings, will face either seventh seed Casper Ruud or Felix Auger-Aliassime in the next round, marking a significant moment in his career as he looks to advance further in the tournament.
In other Cincinnati Open highlights, Alexander Zverev became the first player to secure 50 tour-level wins this season with a dominant performance against Karen Khachanov, winning 6-3, 6-2. Zverev expressed confidence in his form, stating, “I hope my form is getting better and better.”
Meanwhile, Hubert Hurkacz overcame qualifier Yoshihito Nishioka in a tense match that saw the latter receive a game penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct. Andrey Rublev and Holger Rune also progressed to the last 16 after straight-set victories against Zhizhen Zhang and Nuno Borges, respectively.
Upcoming matches in the Cincinnati Open promise high-stakes action as the players continue to vie for crucial points ahead of the US Open. Fans can look forward to an exciting hard-court season leading up to the final Grand Slam of the year, showcasing the world’s best tennis talent.
