Britain’s Jack Draper has received a confidence boost ahead of the US Open after staging a successful return to the ATP Tour at the Winston-Salem Open.
The world No.118 defeated Portugal’s Nuno Borges 6-3, 6-1, in what was his first Tour-level match since withdrawing from the first round of the French Open in May. Draper has been sidelined from action due to a shoulder injury which forced him to miss the entire grasscourt swing. He began his comeback last week on the lower-level Challenger circuit where he reached the quarter-finals of a tournament in Winnipeg.
“Last week [when I returned on the ATP Challenger Tour], I wasn’t too sharp when I first started back playing. But hopefully I can build on this performance and show you guys some good tennis all week.” Draper said after beating Borges.
Draper was particularly impressive behind his serve in his latest match. He fired 11 aces and won 96% (26/27) of his first service points. The Brit is bidding to reach the last eight of Winston-Salem for the second year running.
“I played a really clean match. The guy is a really good player, so is everyone on this level,” he said. “It’s good to be back here in Winston. I had amazing memories here last year, so I’m happy to be back.”
Awaiting him in the second round will be second seed Tallon Griekspoor who received a bye in the first round. The Dutchman was runner-up to Dan Evans at the Citi Open earlier this month but has since lost his opening matches at the Canadian Open and Cincinnati Masters.
Meanwhile, American underdog Omni Kumar has stunned the tournament with a surprise 6-3, 7-6(3) win over French world No.73 Arthur Rinderknech. Kumar only managed to secure a place in the main draw via a lucky loser position and until this week was yet to win a match of any sort on both the Challenger and ATP Tour’s.
“It’s surreal. It hasn’t even sunk in yet. I played the best tennis of my life and the crowd was behind me,” said Kumar.
“Right as I went on to practise today I got the text that I was in. I’m sorry that Thiem pulled out but I was really hyped and I had nothing to lose so I came onto the court with that.
“I’ve seen Arthur play a lot on TV and Tennis TV highlights. He’s got an insane game, so much power. Today everything clicked for me.”
Top seed Borna Coric will begin his campaign against Australia’s Rinky Hijikata. Hijikata, who is currently ranked 111th in the world, beat Ukraine’s Illya Marchenko 4-6, 6-3, 6-2.
The winner of this year’s tournament will take home $104,460 and earn 250 ATP ranking points.
