Jack Draper vs Marcos Giron LIVE
Jack Draper made an encouraging start to his latest injury comeback by beating lucky loser Marcos Giron in straight sets in the first round of the Lexus Eastbourne Open. With new coach Andy Murray watching from a courtside box on a sweltering day at Devonshire Park, former world number four Draper progressed 6-4 7-6 (5) in an hour and 25 minutes.
He showed no obvious fitness concerns during a solid display to set up all-British encounter against Jack Pinnington Jones in the last 16 of the Wimbledon warm-up event. Draper has enlisted the support of three-time grand slam champion Murray for the grass court swing after being plagued by chronic arm and knee injuries during the past year, in addition to a recent shoulder problem.
The 24-year-old, who has plummeted to 160 in the rankings, declared himself to be in a “very good place” ahead of his first competitive outing since retiring injured in the last 32 of the Barcelona Open on April 13.
Jack Draper vs Marcos Giron latest updates
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Draper 6-4 1-0 Giron*
A strong start to the second as Giron powers a strong return at Draper’s feet. It’s the Briton’s turn to respond with a big forehand of his own for 15-15, and he misses a putaway on top of the net for 15-30.
He cracks an ace down the T with Giron nowhere near it to level, and he sees out the game with a kick serve out wide and another to the body.
Set! Draper 6-4 Giron
A big game this as we get to the business end of the first set.
Great depth from Draper on the return to open proceedings, but he nets a routine ball and Giron lasers a wide serve to the backhand which Draper can’t live with.
A let on the second serve gives the Briton a chance, and Giron nets a simple forehand for 30-30. A real opportunity here.
‘Let’s go, mate,’ says Murray from courtside
Giron sends another backhand long, and we have set point, which Giron saves with a one-two punch.
Draper nets the return at deuce for game point, and he’s upset with himself for missing that. The first bit of anger we’ve seen from him.
But that is superh, directing the backhand winner down the line for deuce!
He gees himself up once more, and Giron nets a forehand.
Set point No2, and Giron double faults!
Draper 5-4 Giron*
A huge T serve brings up a quick 30-0 for Draper, who is keen to up the tempo.
Another down the middle has Giron scrambling, and he goes in for the sitdown with an ace.
Good serving. Murray’s loving it.
*Draper 4-4 Giron
An inside-out forehand from Giron kisses the net cord on its way through for a winner to open the new balls up. Draper does well to initially react to the body serve, but nets a forehand after a brief exchange for 30-0.
He whips an aggressive backhand return in the Giron backhand corner as the American slices long to give the Briton a way into this game.
He fires a wide serve to the Draper forehand, which the Briton can only send long, and he wraps up the hold with the one-two punch, wrongfooting Murray’s man.
The coach offers some applause in encouragement.
Draper 4-3 Giron*
A ballboy slips after Draper’s first serve hits the net and the crowd, and the British No3, go ‘oooh’.
It skews Draper’s focus somewhat as he spoons a forehand long for 0-15, but that dropshot is working wonders. 15-15.
A big T serve has him up 30-15, and he gets great depth off both wings to win the next point, ending with a flourish as he powers a forehand line winner home.
Giron’s sliced return lands long, and the Brit is ahead again.
*Draper 3-3 Giron
A strong start from Giron with a whipped forehand that is too hot for Draper to handle. An accurate first serve sees the Brit overcook a forehand return for 30-0, and the wide serve and backhand winner combo has him up three game points.
Draper nets a forehand on the run to cede the love hold.
Draper 3-2 Giron*
Really nice variety from Draper with the big serve and dropshot winner to set the tempo.
He goes just wide going for the forehand line winner for 15-15, and he nets a sloppy forehand to add a bit of jeopardy to the game. 15-30.
He cracks a wide serve to the backhand which Giron deflects off target, and he sets up game point with a pinpoint ace to the forehand side.
A delicate backhand dropshot sees him safely to the chair ahead.
*Draper 2-2 Giron
On serve as the players re-ermerge into the sweltering Sussex sun.
Giron aims for the backhand wing with an accurate delivery into the corner which Draper sends long, and he then aces the Brit with another laser for 30-0.
He’s off-target with the next down the T, and doubles for 30-15.
The first baseline exchange of the game occurs as the two fire forehands at each other, with an inside-out strike from Giron enough for Draper to force it out of play.
The American slips while Draper returns the following point, but fortunately for him, it’s wide of the target.
Draper 2-1 Giron*
The Briton racesinto a 40-0 ascendancy with some huge serving, and he’s into the second changeover ahead with another booming delivery that the American palms into the net.
Draper* 1-1 Giron
Giron on serve for the first time and quickly back on terms. After taking the first point, Draper shows some rustiness to let his opponent back in, hitting long to hand Giron the game.