Jack Draper beats second seed Hubert Hurkacz to reach Japan Open quarter-finals
It was his third win against a top 10 player this year, having earlier beaten Carlos Alcaraz and Alex de Minaur.
Jack Draper enjoyed a statement win at the Japan Open by beating second seed Hubert Hurkacz.
The British number one, playing his first ATP Tour tournament since his run to the semi-finals of the US Open earlier this month, beat the world number eight 6-4 6-4 in Tokyo to make it through to the quarter-finals.
It was his third win against a top 10 player this year, having earlier beaten Carlos Alcaraz and Alex de Minaur.
Next up is a winnable last-eight tie against France’s Ugo Humbert, who defeated Brandon Nakashima 6-3 6-2, and Draper will have eyes on a second ATP Tour title of the year.
The 22-year-old was strong from the off, forcing break point in the opening game, only for Hurkacz to serve himself out of trouble.
But Draper got the break midway through the first set, which proved enough for him to go in front, and he did the same in the second as he enjoyed a straight-sets win.
The world number 20 lost both his matches playing for Great Britain in Davis Cup last week but has bounced back well in Japan, and he said: “I was pleased with a lot of things today.
“I thought my attitude was really good, I got myself out of some tough situations and played the big points on my terms. That’s something that I’ve wanted to do.
“I know when he gets time on the ball, he’s so dangerous and probably the best serve in the world right now so really happy with my composure, the way I approached the game, and hopefully I can carry on this form.
“I’ve had a long summer but it’s important to me to bring good energy to every match.”
At the China Open in Beijing, Carlos Alcaraz saw off young Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard 6-4 6-4, while third seed Daniil Medvedev was a 6-3 6-4 winner over veteran Gael Monfils.
