Jack Draper has developed to the second round of Qatar Open with a strong performance in a 6-2 7-6 (7-4) victory against Alexei Popyrin.
Eighth Leading – Playing for the first time since retiring injuries against Carlos Alcaraz at Australia Open in January – only takes 27 minutes to take the first set in Dubai with Popyrin unable to overcome the first British service.
The second set is much easier for draper because Popyrin keeps a break point to store with service.
Draper, made his debut in Doha, won the Tie-Break to hold the last 16 meeting with Australian Qualification Christopher O’Connell.
Previously on the top of the top Monday Carlos Alcaraz developed into the second half with a 6-4 6-4 victory against Marin Cilic.
Former US Open Cilic Champion – Making his first performance since November because of a decline of knee – rejected three rest points at the end of the second set that would place it 5-3.
Alcaraz then violated the service and secured a place in the last 16, where he would face Zhang Zhizhen or Luca Nardi.
