NEW YORK — Jack Draper expressed a peculiar sense of relief after a grueling four-set victory on his US Open return, stating he was "almost happy" to have dropped a set in a severe examination of his fitness and resolve.
The British number one, seeded 25th at Flushing Meadows, navigated a tricky first-round encounter against Russian veteran Radu Albot, eventually prevailing 6-1, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 in two hours and 56 minutes on Court 10. The win books his place in the second round alongside compatriot Cameron Norrie, who also advanced in four sets.
For Draper, the match was about far more than just a result; it was a critical test of his physical durability after a shoulder injury forced him to retire from his opening match at Wimbledon and disrupted his hard-court preparation. The 21-year-old left-hander admitted the battle was exactly what he needed.
A Necessary Test of Mettle
"It was tough," Draper said in his post-match press conference. "I haven't played a lot of matches. I think for me to get through that, have a few difficult moments, lose a set, it was almost happy that happened because I need to be tested."
The victory was a testament to Draper's mental fortitude. After cruising through the first two sets with his powerful serve and aggressive groundstrokes, he encountered significant resistance. The 33-year-old Albot, a qualifier and former world number 39, capitalized on a dip in Draper's intensity to claim the third set.
Draper explained the psychological challenge: "When you're two sets up, you can get a little bit complacent. He's a difficult opponent, he doesn't give you anything. I'm just really happy to get through."
Overcoming Physical Doubts
The primary narrative surrounding Draper has been his struggle with injuries. His raw talent is undeniable, but his body has repeatedly failed him at crucial moments. This match, played in humid New York conditions, was a positive step toward proving his fitness.
He acknowledged the mental hurdle of trusting his body again: "It's always in the back of your mind. You're never sure how you're going to pull up. But I've done all the right things. My team have been amazing to get me back on court."
Draper's game is built around a formidable serve and crushing forehand, weapons that were on full display in the first two sets. His ability to regroup after losing the third and break Albot early in the fourth was a clear sign of his growing maturity.
Keys to Victory and Areas for Improvement
The statistics from the match highlight both Draper's strengths and the areas that provided Albot with a route back into the contest. Draper's serve was a dominant factor for large portions of the match.
- Serve Dominance: He fired 18 aces and won 80% of points behind his first serve.
- Aggressive Returning: He created 15 break point opportunities, converting 5 of them.
- Unforced Errors: A tally of 47, which crept up during the third-set lapse, is an area for refinement.
Despite the blip, his coach, former Wimbledon champion Patrick Rafter, will be pleased with how his charge problem-solved in real-time to close out the match, avoiding a draining fifth set.
British Contingent Moves Forward
Draper's victory means he joins Cameron Norrie in the second round, maintaining a strong British presence after Norrie's 6-3, 6-1, 4-6, 6-3 win over Alexander Shevchenko.
Norrie, the 16th seed, looked in commanding form for two sets before needing to refocus to see off his Russian opponent. "It was a good match for me to get through," Norrie said. "I played some good tennis and managed to get it done in four."
The successes of Draper and Norrie provide a boost for British tennis after a disappointing first day that saw Andy Murray and Jodie Burrage exit the tournament.
Looking Ahead at Flushing Meadows
For Draper, the path forward presents another significant challenge. He will face 17th-seeded Frenchman Hubert Hurkacz, a 2021 Wimbledon semifinalist known for his own massive serve. It is a matchup that promises few service breaks and high-pressure points.
Draper is under no illusions about the task ahead: "Hubi is an amazing player. He's had a great year. It's going to be a really tough match. I'm going to have to serve well and take my chances when I get them."
Yet, after passing his first fitness test with flying colors, Draper will walk onto the court with renewed confidence. The four-set battle against Albot, while not perfect, was the exact kind of gritty, hard-fought win that builds character for the tougher tests that lie ahead in a Grand Slam fortnight.
His unusual sentiment of being "almost happy" to drop a set encapsulates a player who understands that the journey to the top is paved with lessons learned in adversity, not just straightforward victories.