Draper Makes Successful ATP Tour Return In Winston-Salem

Briton Jack Draper made a successful return to ATP Tour action on Monday when he defeated Portugal’s Nuno Borges 6-3, 6-1 to reach the second round of the Winston-Salem Open. It was his first tour-level match since Roland Garros due to a shoulder injury.

“I played a really clean match. The guy is a really good player, so is everyone on this level,” Draper said. “It’s good to be back here in Winston. I had amazing memories here last year, so I’m happy to be back.”

One year ago, Draper defeated Fabio Fognini and Dominic Thiem en route to the Winston-Salem quarter-finals. Against Borges he hit 11 aces and did not face a break point.

“I think my serve was amazing today. I kept on putting pressure on him on my return games,” Draper said. “Last week [when I returned on the ATP Challenger Tour], I wasn’t too sharp when I first started back playing. But hopefully I can build on this performance and show you guys some good tennis all week.”

Australian Max Purcell, who reached the quarter-finals in Cincinnati, maintained his good form with a 6-4, 6-1 victory over 2018 Roland Garros semi-finalist Marco Cecchinato. Purcell is pursuing his first ATP Tour singles title and is at a career-high No. 47 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings.

Other straight-sets winners were Marton Fucsovics, who ousted Zhang Zhizhen 6-4, 6-2, and lucky loser Omni Kumar, who earned his first tour-level win with a 6-3, 7-6(3) victory over Arthur Rinderknech.

Facundo Diaz Acosta rallied past Quentin Halys 4-6, 6-2, 6-4 and Rinky Hijikata defeated Illya Marchenko 4-6, 6-3, 6-2. Dominik Koepfer clawed past Constant Lestienne 6-4, 3-6, 7-6(8) and Michael Mmoh found a way past Darian King 6-2, 3-6, 6-3.