British No 1 Jack Draper reeled off the final three video games to supply a gutsy three-set victory in opposition to ninth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas on the Cincinnati Open on Thursday.
Tsitsipas served for the match at 5-4 within the third set, however Draper received 12 of the final 17 factors to say a surprising 3-6 6-4 7-5 win and attain the third spherical.
“I feel Stefanos has an enormous presence and the court docket was insanely quick, so it is exhausting to play good tennis,” Draper advised Sky Sports activities.
“Within the first hour I actually struggled… and that simply is not adequate in opposition to these prime gamers.
“Typically, my grit, my willpower and my angle received me the match right now, so I am very happy with that.”
Draper reacts to his spectacular victory over Tsitsipas
Draper had required a medical time-out throughout his first-round win over Jaume Munar, however gave the impression to be transferring freely through the early exchanges.
Tsitsipas made a decisive break to guide 3-1 and regardless of choosing up shot-clock violations, the Greek world quantity 11 fended off a few break factors for Draper earlier than closing out the opening set.
Draper regrouped for the second set, his serve this time holding up nicely, earlier than forcing residence a break level alternative within the tenth recreation following a double-fault by Tsitsipas to degree the match.
The 22-year-old, although, was quickly beneath strain once more as Tsitsipas had three break factors within the opening recreation of the deciding set, however Draper recovered for a vital maintain.
Tsitsipas appeared to have taken a decisive break within the ninth recreation, solely to then discover himself 0-40 down following one other name for time violation and a double fault, which noticed Draper again on degree phrases at 5-5.
The profitable second as Draper comes from a set right down to knock out Tsitsipas
Draper, presently ranked 28 within the ATP standings, held to place the strain again on Tsitsipas earlier than changing an excellent return to seal one other hard-earned victory.
Draper is now 2-0 in opposition to Tsitsipas and he’ll tackle the winner of seventh seed Casper Ruud or Felix Auger-Aliassime for a spot within the quarter-finals.
Story of the Tape
Alexander Zverev grew to become the primary participant to earn 50 tour-level wins this season after defeating Karen Khachanov 6-3 6-2 for a gap win.
Highlights of Alexander Zverev in opposition to Karen Khachanov
“I felt nicely on the court docket,” mentioned Zverev, who lifted the trophy in Cincinnati in 2021. “I’ve felt good in apply after which it’s simpler to convey on court docket. I did not really feel nicely in Canada in any respect, even within the few matches I received. I hope my type is getting higher and higher and I can play some good tennis.
“We’re very related gamers. We’re each very tall and good baseline gamers and once we are each enjoying it’s about type and who’s enjoying higher and right now I’m pleased that it was me and I obtained a great win right now.”
Yoshihito Nishioka was given a recreation penalty after being warned a number of occasions by the umpire to relax in his match in opposition to Hubert Hurkacz
Elsewhere, Hubert Hurkacz got here via 3-6 7-6 (7-4) 6-1 in opposition to qualifier Yoshihito Nishioka, who was handed a code violation recreation penalty after hitting balls into the group as his frustrations boiled over through the deciding set.
World No 7 Andrey Rublev noticed off China’s Zhizhen Zhang 6-4 6-3 to make the final 16 whereas Holger Rune got here via 6-3 7-6 (10-8) in opposition to Nuno Borges.
American Ben Shelton delighted the house crowd as he battled to a 6-7 (8-6) 7-6 (9-7) 6-3 win over Argentina’s Tomas Martin Etcheverry.
Grigor Dimitrov, although, suffered an sudden defeat to Hungarian Fabian Marozsan, who fought from behind to win 4-6 6-4 6-3.
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