Cincinnati Open: Jack Draper beats Stefanos Tsitsipas in three-set thriller Tennis News

Britain’s top-ranked Jack Draper used a strong performance in his final three games to beat ninth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas in three sets at the Cincinnati Open on Thursday Tsitsipas).

Tsitsipas led 5-4 in the third set, but Draper scored 12 of the final 17 points for a thrilling 3-6 6-4 7-5 victory to advance to the third round.

“I think Stefanos has such a strong presence and the court is so fast that it makes it difficult to play good tennis,” Draper told sky sports.

“In the first hour I really struggled… it’s not good enough for these top players.

“Overall, my grit, determination and attitude got me the win today, so I’m very proud of that.”

Draper required a medical timeout in his first-round victory over Jaume Munnar, but he seemed to move freely in the early exchanges.

Tsitsipas earned the decisive break to go 3-1 up, and despite a shot-clock violation, the world No. 11 Greek saved several break points for Draper before ending the first set.

Draper regrouped in the second set, this time serving well, before forcing a break opportunity for the home side in the 10th game after Tsitsipas double-faulted to level the match.

However, the 22-year-old soon came under pressure again as Tsitsipas earned three break points in the first game of the decider, but Draper recovered to hold serve.

Tsitsipas seemed to get a decisive break in the ninth game, but then fell behind 0-40 due to a timeout and a double fault, and Draper equalized at 5-5.

Draper, currently ranked 28th in the ATP standings, struck first, applying pressure on Tsitsipas before producing another well-earned victory with a superb counterattack.

Draper currently holds a 2-0 win over Tsitsipas and will face the seventh-seeded winner Caspar Rudd or Felix Auger-Aliassime Compete for a spot in the quarter-finals.

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Alexander Zverev Became the first player to win 50 tour-level matches this season after defeating Karen Khachanov 6-3 6-2 in the opening match.

“I feel good on the court,” said Zverev, who lifted the trophy in Cincinnati in 2021. Even in the few matches I win, I hope my condition is getting better and better and I can play good tennis.

“We are very similar players. We are both very tall players with a very good baseline. When we play, the most important thing is the form and who plays better. Today I am very happy that it was me. Today I achieved A nice win.

elsewhere, Hubert Hekatz They finally defeated qualifier Nishioka Yoshihito 3-6 7-6 (7-4) 6-1. Nishioka Yoshihito was given a game violation penalty for hitting the ball into the crowd in the final set.

seventh in the world Andrei Rublev Defeated Chinese player Zhang Zhizhen 6-4 6-3 to advance to the top 16 Holger Ruhn Defeated Nuno Borges 6-3 7-6 (10-8).

American Ben Shelton He thrilled the home crowd by defeating Tomas Martin Etcheverry of Argentina 6-7 (8-6) 7-6 (9-7) 6-3.

However, Grigor Dimitrov unexpectedly lost to the Hungarian Fabian Maroussanthey came from behind and won 4-6 6-4 6-3.

What’s coming to Sky Sports Tennis?

On the eve of the last Grand Slam of 2024, the US Open, you can watch all of tennis’s biggest stars compete sky sports live when they compete during the hard court season.

• Cincinnati Open (ATP 1000) – Deadline August 19
• Cincinnati Open (WTA 1000) – Ends August 19
• Winston-Salem Open (ATP 250) – August 18-24
• Cleveland Land Tennis (WTA 250) – August 18-24
• GNP Seguros Open, Monterrey (WTA 500) – August 19-24
• US Open (ATP/WTA) – August 26th – September 8th

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