Jack Draper Fights Back for Australian Open First-Round Win
British No. 1 Jack Draper overcame a tough start and some shaky moments to secure a five-set victory over Argentine clay-court specialist Mariano Navone in the first round of the Australian Open. In a match that lasted over four hours, Draper showed grit and determination, coming back from a set down twice to win 4-6, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2.
The 23-year-old left-hander, who had been sidelined with a hip injury since October, entered the tournament with limited preparation. His injury had disrupted his off-season and kept him out of warm-up events, leaving him reliant on practice sessions with players like Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner to regain form. Despite his efforts, Draper’s lack of match sharpness was evident in his sluggish footwork and erratic groundstrokes during the opening set.
Navone, ranked 46th in the world and playing his first Australian Open main draw, capitalized on Draper’s inconsistency, breaking his serve five times and drawing 88 unforced errors from the Brit. Draper’s usually reliable serve faltered under pressure, and he often found himself battling through lengthy service games.
The match saw several momentum shifts, with Draper leveling the score in the second set before Navone took control again in the third. However, Draper’s resilience shone through in the fourth set, where he broke Navone’s serve late to force a decider. By the final set, Navone appeared to be struggling with an injury, and Draper took full advantage, closing out the match with two aces and a commanding performance.
This victory marks Draper’s first competitive outing of the season, following a breakout performance at the US Open last September where he reached the semifinals. Reflecting on his challenging start to the year, Draper noted that there’s no substitute for actual match play, which became clear as he worked to shake off the rust in Melbourne.
Looking ahead, Draper will face either Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis or Russian Roman Safiullin in the second round. As he continues to find his rhythm, the Briton will be aiming to build on this gritty opening performance and make a deeper run in the tournament.
While Draper may not have been at his sharpest, his determination to fight through adversity serves as a testament to his growing maturity on the court. If he can regain his form, he could become a serious contender in this year’s Grand Slam.
