- British No 1 beats Mariano Navone 4-6, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2
- Match-rusty player faces Thanasi Kokkinakis next
Trailing by two sets to one in the fourth set of an uncomfortable, frustrating encounter with Mariano Navone, his presence in Melbourne already hanging in the balance, Jack Draper walked warily to the baseline to save a break point. For much of his time on court in his first-round match at the Australian Open, Draper had looked flat, tired and out of ideas. It seemed like he did not have much more to give.
Draper responded to adversity by giving an important demonstration of his determination and grit as he pulled himself back from the brink of defeat against Navone before finding a way into the second round with a resolute 4-6, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 victory after more than four hours.
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Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/jan/13/jack-draper-survives-scare-in-first-round-australian-open-tennis-thriller
Author : Tumaini Carayol at Melbourne Park
Publish date : 2025-01-13 18:24:28
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