Jack Draper earned his fifth top-10 victory in Tokyo, toppling Hubert Hurkacz 6-4, 6-4 in an hour and 24 minutes. The US Open semi-finalist outplayed the better-ranked opponent, attacking in the crucial moments and keeping the rallies on his tally.
The Briton was pleased with his performance against one of the world’s best servers, maintaining his composure and taking time off the rival’s strokes. Jack saved all three break points and kept the pressure on the other side, seizing two of seven break chances and moving over the top in style.
The young gun landed 25 service winners and tamed his strokes nicely after landing 28 winners and 18 unforced errors. Hurkacz did not play badly, finishing the duel with more winners than unforced errors. Still, he could not match the rival’s performance in the pivotal moments, struggling at the net and losing ground in the shortest and mid-range rallies.
Hubert had to work hard from the opening game of the clash, facing three break points after a costly double fault.
Jack missed his chance on the third, allowing his rival to escape.
After missing his opportunity, the Briton faced two break points in the fourth game. The young gun denied them with service winners, remaining on the positive side and stepping in on the return in the next one. Draper passed Hurkacz at the net with a powerful stroke, earning a break and moving in front.
Jack closed the sixth game after a deuce and landed an ace in the eighth for a 5-3 advantage. Hubert prolonged the battle with a couple of fine holds and wished for a chance on the return at 4-5. However, world no. 20 painted a forehand down the line winner, providing another reliable hold and closing the opener in 45 minutes.
Jack Draper felt good about his performance against Hubert Hurkacz.
They served well at the beginning of the second set, locking the result at 2-2. Like in the opener, the Pole struggled behind the initial shot at 2-2.
Hurkacz faced a break point after a loose backhand and saved it with an unreturned serve. World no. 20 generated the second after another loose backhand from his opponent, moving a set and a break up and closer to the finish line.
Jack held in game six to cement the advantage before facing a break point at 4-3 following a wayward forehand. The Briton denied it with a service winner and added two more winners to his tally, opening a 5-3 lead and keeping the pressure on the other side.
Hubert prolonged the battle with a hold in game nine, having one more chance to extend the duel. Still, Draper landed a powerful serve for three match points and cracked a backhand crosscourt winner on the first, marching into the quarter-final.
“Many things worked well for me today. My attitude was fine, especially in a couple of challenging situations. I played big points on my terms, which was a part of my plan.
Hubert is among the best servers in the world. I had to keep my composure and get the time off his shots, which I did. I hope to carry on this form. The summer was long, but it’s important to play every match with good energy and be competitive,” Jack Draper said.
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