MANCHESTER — In a commanding display of resilience and raw power, Jack Draper marked his long-awaited return to the Davis Cup stage by delivering a crucial victory for Great Britain, setting the tone for a dominant opening day against Norway. The British team, led by captain Leon Smith, seized a commanding 2-0 lead in their 2024 Qualifier tie at Manchester’s AO Arena, with Draper’s straight-sets win over world number 331 Viktor Durasovic followed by a masterclass from Cameron Norrie against Casper Ruud.
For Draper, the 6-1, 6-3 triumph was about far more than just the scoreline. It represented a triumphant return from the injury woes that have plagued his young career, forcing him to miss last year’s Finals. Speaking after the match, the 22-year-old left-hander captured the emotional significance of the moment with a poignant reflection: "For me, I'm winning by being here. Last year I was in a really difficult place, I was injured, I was watching these guys from my sofa. So to be here, playing for my country, it's a massive privilege."
A Statement Return for Draper
Draper’s performance was a statement of intent. From the first ball, he unleashed his formidable serve and punishing groundstrokes, overwhelming Durasovic with a blend of pace and precision. The Norwegian, a seasoned Davis Cup campaigner, had no answer to Draper’s intensity. The first set was wrapped up in just 27 minutes, and despite a brief flicker of resistance from Durasovic in the second, Draper maintained control, sealing the match with a thunderous forehand winner.
The victory was a testament to Draper’s arduous journey back to full fitness. A shoulder injury severely hampered his 2023 season, and his absence was keenly felt as Great Britain reached the Davis Cup quarter-finals in Malaga. His return to the team environment, and his ability to perform under the unique pressure of the competition, signals a major boost for British tennis. Captain Leon Smith praised his composure, noting, "Jack handled the occasion brilliantly. He played aggressive, front-foot tennis from the start and never let his opponent settle."
Norrie Stuns Ruud in Tactical Masterclass
If Draper’s win set the platform, Cameron Norrie’s performance against world number 11 Casper Ruud built a fortress upon it. In what many considered the tie’s pivotal rubber, Norrie produced a stunning 6-4, 6-4 victory, dismantling the Norwegian star’s heavy-topspin game with intelligent, disciplined tennis. Norrie’s strategy was executed to perfection:
- Neutralising the Forehand: He consistently attacked Ruud’s backhand, limiting the Norwegian’s ability to dictate with his signature shot.
- Masterful Court Positioning: Norrie stood exceptionally deep to receive serve, giving himself time to handle Ruud’s heavy spin.
- Relentless Depth: He pinned Ruud behind the baseline, preventing him from moving forward and controlling points.
The victory was Norrie’s first over a top-20 player in nearly a year and his first-ever win against Ruud in three attempts. It underscored his reputation as a big-match player for his country. "I came out with a great game plan and I executed it really well," Norrie said. "To get a win like that for the team, to put us 2-0 up, it’s a massive feeling. The crowd was incredible and really lifted me."
The Weight of the Davis Cup Legacy
The opening day’s success places Great Britain on the cusp of securing a spot at the 2024 Davis Cup Finals group stage, to be held in September. The team’s performance carried the weight of a rich legacy in the competition, a point not lost on the players. The atmosphere inside a packed AO Arena, a venue steeped in British tennis history, provided a formidable advantage. The Norwegian team, despite the presence of a top-15 star in Ruud, found themselves outplayed and out-supported in every department.
For Jack Draper, contributing to that legacy was a driving force. His journey from spectator to match-winner in the space of a year fueled his passionate display. "This team has such a great bond," he emphasized. "We all want to fight for each other. After last year, I was so desperate to be a part of it. To come out and get a win for the boys means everything."
Looking Ahead to Day Two
With a 2-0 lead, Great Britain needs just one more victory from Saturday’s three scheduled rubbers to win the tie. The day will begin with the potentially decisive doubles match, where British duo Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski are slated to face Norway’s Lukas Hellum-Lilleengen and Nicolai Budkov Kjaer. Salisbury and Skupski, both former world number ones, are overwhelming favourites on paper, but the pressure of clinching the tie adds a unique dynamic.
Should Norway pull off an upset in the doubles, the tie would then hinge on the reverse singles. The schedule currently lists Cameron Norrie against Viktor Durasovic, followed by Jack Draper versus Casper Ruud—a mouth-watering prospect pitting Britain’s rising star against Norway’s established leader. Captain Leon Smith, however, retains the option to substitute his nominated players up to one hour before the match, allowing for tactical adjustments based on the state of the tie.
A Foundation of Strength and Unity
The opening day in Manchester was a resounding success for Team GB, built on a foundation of individual brilliance and collective spirit. Jack Draper’s emotional and powerful return provided the perfect springboard, while Cameron Norrie’s tactical victory over a higher-ranked opponent demonstrated the depth and big-match temperament within the squad. The performances validated captain Smith’s selections and showcased a team firing on all cylinders, united by the shared goal of returning to the Davis Cup Finals.
As the team looks to complete the job on Saturday, the words of Draper will resonate: winning by simply being on the court, fit and ready to fight for his country, has already delivered a victory beyond the points won. But the ultimate goal remains clear: to secure the third point that books Great Britain’s ticket to the next stage, continuing a journey they hope will lead them back to the latter stages of the world’s premier team tennis competition.