Jack Draper was forced to retire with injury during his Japan Open quarter-final against France’s Ugo Humbert on Sunday.
After losing the first set 7–5 in Tokyo, British No. 1 Draper received treatment for a stomach complaint and after trailing 2–1, he could not continue, ending his tournament campaign.
Humbert will now face Czech Republic’s Tomas Machak – whom Draper had recently defeated at the US Open – for a place in the final.
Draper, who was playing his first ATP Tour tournament after reaching the last four of the US Open earlier this month, initially continued to recover after treatment, before becoming visibly restricted in his movement during rallies.
Before traveling to Japan, the 22-year-old lost both his matches for Great Britain in the Davis Cup, but played some brilliant games to defeat Italy’s Mattia Bellucci and then Polish second seed Hubert Hurkacz in straight sets in the Japanese capital. Tennis.
Draper, who has enjoyed an injury-free performance so far in 2024, has disrupted the 2021, 2022 and 2023 campaigns.
After the coin toss and warm-up, the start of the match was slightly delayed due to rain, with the players leaving the court due to the roof being closed.
Before the physio was called, Draper and Humbert’s serve was broken twice each in the first nine games.
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Draper made an amazing defensive shot to break Humbert in the first set
The Briton, who was lying courtside for treatment, successfully held serve to hold on for the first set, but was broken in his next service game as fellow left-hander Humbert seized the initiative with a brilliant cross-court forehand. Confiscated.
After taking time off to compete, Draper managed to win three more games before walking off the court.
What’s happening on Sky Sports Tennis in October?
- Shanghai Masters – ATP 1000 (2-13 October – Jack Draper in action)
- Wuhan Open – WTA 1000 (6-12 October – Emma Raducanu in action)
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