Miami Open: Jack Draper sets up all-British second round clash with upset win

ATP Tour
Jack Draper

Great Britain’s Jack Draper secured a straight sets victory over Gilles Simon to progress to the second round of the Miami Open.

Draper came through in the clutch moments to pull out a 7-5, 6-1 win over the French Journeyman.

Simon had his chances but converted only one of the seven break points Draper afforded him.

Draper goes on to face compatriot Cameron Norrie in the second round.

Norrie enjoyed a bye through the first round as a result of his tenth seeding.

Draper is set to enjoy a huge bump in the rankings as a result of his win over Simon, he will reach at least 130th should he lose to Norrie.

The win was made more significant considering Draper had collapsed during his first round match in Miami in 2021.

“Yeah it was in the back of my head about last year,” Draper told Amazon Prime Video.

“I trusted all the work that I’d done in especially the last six months and yeah, came through today. I still need plenty of time to get used to this over the course of my career but it’s a good start today.”

Draper is eager to test himself against Great Britain’s current number one man.

“Cam is a great guy. I play with him a lot when we’re back in the UK and I’m really looking forward to that match. It’s going to be a tough one because I think he might be top ten this week, I’m not too sure but he’s doing incredibly well at the moment so it’s a good challenge for me to see when I’m at.”

Draper lost 6-3, 6-3 in his only previous meeting with Norrie in the Queens Club last eight in 2021.

He does not believe that match will have much bearing on their upcoming clash though.

“I think I’m just a better player eight months, nine months on and I think he is as well but it will be good for both of us to get on court and battle, and let’s see what happens,” Draper added.

Cameron Norrie Jack Draper

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