Jack Draper continues excellent US Open form with superb start to Davis Cup career after straight-set win over Thanasi Kokkinakis… while Dan Evans upset Australian number one Alex de Minaur to give GB unassailable lead against Australia
- Draper’s excellent form at the US Open was reflected in a victory in the Davis Cup
- He defeated Thanasi Kokkinakis 6-7 6-3 7-6 on his debut in the tournament
- The Manchester United fan played in Manchester while impressing
Jack Draper’s excellent form at the US Open was transported across the Atlantic as he made an excellent start to his Davis Cup career in Manchester.
As Great Britain attempted to progress through the four-team group to qualify for November’s Davis Cup final, captain Leon Smith handed the 21-year-old his first start, ahead of Cam Norrie and Andy Murray.
Manchester United fan Draper did not disappoint after his fourth round performance at Flushing Meadows last week, beating Thanasi Kokkinakis 6-7 6-3 7-6.
Dan Evans then upset Australian number one Alex de Minaur 6-1 1-6 6-4, giving GB an unassailable lead with the doubles to play.
Both matches were of high quality and were played in front of almost 10,000 fans at the AO Arena who turned out on Wednesday afternoon.
Jack Draper’s excellent form at the US Open was carried across the Atlantic
The Manchester United fan defeated Thanasi Kokkinakis 6-7 6-3 7-6 in Manchester
After the win, he revealed how proud he was to play his first Davis Cup match
Draper’s victory lasted just three hours, with the Surrey southpaw missing a set point before losing the opener 8-6 in a tiebreak.
In the deciding set he had to break back when the Aussie served for the match at 5-4.
The sudden death tiebreak was desperately tight, but on the way to serving 24 aces, Draper came back from 2-4 down to rattle off the final five points in a composed display in front of a partisan crowd.
“They got me over the line, it wasn’t an easy game,” he said.
‘It was great to play my first Davis Cup match in Great Britain, I’m just happy that Leon trusted me and sent me here. I play for my country so I had to risk everything, usually I play for myself.
“We still have work to do, but the team will be called this week, we are really trying to get to the final.”
Evans, who had beaten Carlos Alcaraz in the third round of the US Open, was promoted to world number 13 de Minaur after beating him twice in previous ATP Tour meetings.
Once again the Midlander’s all-court variant proved difficult for the speedy Australian, and although De Minaur mounted a fightback from 0-4 down in the decider, Evans held firm. “I was incredibly nervous, this place is much bigger than I expected, Jack played a great game and made my job easier,” he said.
Evans played alongside Neal Skupski in the doubles last night, and GB are back in action against Switzerland on Friday.
