Draper 'proud of level' following Indian Wells return
Defending champion Jack Draper made a winning return to the BNP Paribas Open on Saturday, when he battled past former World No. 9 Roberto Bautista Agut 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 to reach the third round.
The British lefty captured the biggest title of his career in the Californian desert last year, defeating Carlos Alcaraz in the semi-finals and Holger Rune in the championship match. The 24-year-old has since spent a large period on the sidelines with a left arm injury.
Draper returned to an ATP Tour event last week in Dubai, having been injured since the US Open in August. The No. 14 player in the PIF ATP Rankings won one match at the ATP 500 event and looked fairly comfortable on Stadium 2 in Indian Wells.
“It was difficult,” Draper said when asked about returning after injury. “Even though from the moment I got here last week, I have felt the love and special feelings being back here, but at the same time I haven’t played in a long time and have had a difficult injury, so mixed emotions. But I am really glad with the way I came through in the second and third sets against a formidable opponent in Roberto. He is someone who has played such amazing tennis on the Tour. I am proud of my performance.”
Draper hit 24 forehand winners, including 20 in the last two sets. He was also impressive when moving forward, winning all nine points he won at the net. The 14th seed said in his pre-tournament press conference on Wednesday that he ‘Wouldn’t be in Indian Wells if he didn’t feel he could go all the way’. He will hope to continue his run against Francisco Cerundolo.
“To come out and play the level I am playing after the injury I had, I am really proud of that,” Draper added.
[NO 1 CLUB]In other action, the 13th seed Casper Ruud snapped a four-match losing streak at the ATP Masters 1000 events, moving past Alexander Shevchenko 6-1, 7-6(4). The Norwegian had not earned victory at this level since he reached the fourth round in Toronto last August, losing his opening matches in Cincinnati, Shanghai and Paris.
Ruud is into the third round in Indian Wells for the fifth time and will next meet Shanghai champion Valentin Vacherot or Portugal’s Nuno Borges.
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