Rafael Nadal sees off cramp-hit Brit Jack Draper in first round of the Australian Open in four sets
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Rafael Nadal defeats British Jack Draper in the first round of the Australian Open, winning in four sets
Jack Draper had a painful exit from the Australian Open after the effort of trying to take down Rafael Nadal proved too much.
The 21-year-old from Surrey gave the defending champion all manner of trouble, but was slowed down by apparent cramping in both the third and fourth sets.
Playing the longest and most physical match of his life, he fell 7-5, 2-6, 6-4, 6-1 in three hours and 41 minutes with the match played in muggy 1920s temperatures.
Rafael Nadal is in the second round of the Australian Open after beating the British Jack Draper
Nadal and Draper speak after their match, in which the Grand Slam icon was challenged at times.
At Rod Laver Arena, Draper did enough to show why he is considered a standout prospect against Nadal, who put in a undulating performance with plenty of mistakes made.
Draper briefly threatened to screw him as he took the lead in the second set, after which he received his first treatment from the physio for his tight muscles.
He returned to make the third shutdown after suffering his first bout of upper leg problems and also broke down early in the fourth.
In the end, Nadal’s relentless game proved too much and in the end he could barely move.
Nadal showed too much for Draper in a relentless match, which began with the highest quality
Draper struggled with cramps and played the longest, most physical game of his life to date.
The first set was the highest quality of the match and Draper had his chances at 5-5, but was undone by naive shot selection.
Another day, and when he has more stamina, he could have beaten the champion, who committed 46 unforced errors.
Nadal then praised Draper, saying: “This was a win I needed, the last two months have not been easy.”
“I think it was a very positive start, I played one of the toughest opponents possible in the first round, he is young and he has the power, and he has a great future ahead of him.
“We are going to see him play many years here and have great results.”