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Britain's Draper continues promising start under Andy Murray / Photo: © AFP
Britain's Draper continues promising start under Andy Murray
Britain's Jack Draper continued his promising start under the guidance of three-time Grand Slam champion Andy Murray with a straight sets victory over compatriot Jack Pinnington Jones in the ATP Eastbourne tournament on Wednesday.
Draper overcame the unusually sweltering conditions on England's south coast to secure b a place in the quarter-finals of the Wimbledon warm-up event with a 7-5 6-4 victory as he continued his comeback from longstanding arm and knee injuries.
The former world number four will face Canada’s Gabriel Diallo on Thursday for a place in the semi-finals.
"My confidence levels were below the floor a couple of weeks ago; I hadn't played for a long time, wasn't match fit," Draper said on court following only his second match in more than two months.
"I didn't play Queen's (the London grass-court warm-up tournament for Wimbledon) because I just wasn't ready, so to come here and be on court and to be competing and playing at a high level very quickly, I’m very grateful," he added.
Draper, who again had two-time Wimbledon champion Murray offering support in his role as coach, made a confident start following Monday's straight-sets victory over Marcos Giron of the United States.
Wearing a protective sleeve on his troublesome racquet arm, the 24-year-old broke his opponent in just game three but later squandered a set point at 5-4 up with a stray forehand which flew into the stands.
Pinnington Jones cashed in by taking advantage of his third break point courtesy of a fortunate, net-cord winner.
However, the 23-year-old then failed to hold as Draper regained the initiative before clinching the opening set with successive aces.
Pinnington Jones, who reached the second round his Wimbledon debut last year, again dropped serve at the start of the second set.
The world number 145 remained in touching distance without truly threatening Draper.
"Jack's a great friend so it's tough playing against a good friend," said Pinnington Jones.
"He's still young and he’s been building his way up the rankings, he's nearly in the top hundred. He's going to be someone who's going to be a top, top player, and I think he showed that today."
L. Andersson--BTZ
