ROME — British tennis sensation Jack Draper secured a hard-fought victory over Czech qualifier Vit Kopriva to advance to the last 16 of the Italian Open, but not without a fiery display of frustration that saw him smash his racquet during the match. The 22-year-old prevailed 6-3, 6-4 in a straight-sets win, though his emotions boiled over in a moment of visible anger.
Draper’s Dominance and Moment of Frustration
Draper, currently ranked No. 37 in the world, showcased his powerful baseline game to overpower Kopriva, but the match was far from straightforward. Despite controlling the rallies, Draper’s temper flared in the second set after a series of unforced errors. At 3-3, he hammered his racquet into the clay court, earning a code violation from the umpire. "I just lost my cool for a second," Draper admitted in his post-match interview. "It’s not something I’m proud of, but sometimes the emotions take over."
The young Brit quickly regained his composure, breaking Kopriva’s serve in the next game before closing out the match. His aggressive playstyle, characterized by heavy topspin forehands and a strong serve, proved too much for the 27-year-old qualifier, who struggled to find rhythm against Draper’s relentless pressure.
Key Moments in the Match
Draper’s victory was built on several crucial moments:
- First-set dominance: Draper broke Kopriva early, capitalizing on his opponent’s shaky second serve.
- Racquet smash: The second-set outburst came after a missed break-point opportunity, but Draper refocused immediately.
- Closing strong: He saved two break points at 5-4 in the second set before sealing the win with an ace.
Kopriva, ranked No. 135, had upset 28th seed Tallon Griekspoor in the previous round but found Draper’s left-handed game difficult to handle. "He’s got a lot of power, and he moves well for a big guy," Kopriva said afterward. "I had my chances, but he was just too good in the important moments."
Draper’s Rise and Clay-Court Adaptation
Draper, long touted as one of Britain’s most promising talents, has been making steady progress on the ATP Tour. His performance in Rome marks another step forward in his adaptation to clay—a surface he has historically struggled on. "I’ve been working hard on my movement and patience on clay," Draper said. "It’s not my natural surface, but I’m starting to feel more comfortable."
His recent form suggests a player growing in confidence:
- 2024 season: Reached the semifinals in Adelaide and the quarterfinals in Munich.
- Clay improvements: Won his first ATP Challenger title on clay in Marrakech last month.
- Grand Slam potential: Showed flashes at Roland Garros last year before injury cut his run short.
Next Challenge: A Tough Last-16 Clash
Draper will face a stern test in the next round against either world No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz or qualifier Albert Ramos-Viñolas. Should Alcaraz prevail, it would set up a highly anticipated showdown between two of the tour’s most exciting young players. "I’ll be ready for whoever it is," Draper said. "I’m here to compete, and I believe I can beat anyone on my day."
Conclusion: A Player on the Rise
While Draper’s racquet smash highlighted his fiery competitive nature, his ability to refocus and close out the match demonstrated maturity. With his powerful game and improving clay-court skills, he is quickly becoming a threat on all surfaces. As he advances in Rome, British fans will be hopeful that this is just the beginning of a deep run—and perhaps a sign of bigger things to come at Roland Garros later this month.
"I’m learning every match," Draper reflected. "The emotions are part of the journey. The key is to keep improving and stay hungry." If his performance in Rome is any indication, Draper’s hunger for success is stronger than ever.