Jack Draper had a challenging day at the Japan Open quarter-final as he encountered an unfortunate setback that led to his retirement from the match against France’s Ugo Humbert. Draper, the British No 1, found himself in a tough position after losing the first set 7-5 in a fiercely contested battle.
The match took a worrying turn for Draper when he had to call for medical assistance due to an abdominal complaint. After receiving treatment, he attempted to continue fighting, but as the second set progressed, it became clear that he was struggling to maintain his usual level of play. With the score at 2-1 against him in the second set, Draper made the difficult decision to withdraw from the match, thus bringing his journey in this tournament to an abrupt end.
This retirement is particularly noteworthy considering Draper’s recent form. Prior to the Japan Open, he had showcased impressive performances at the US Open, where he reached the semi-finals. His earlier victories over notable players, such as Italy’s Mattia Bellucci and Polish second seed Hubert Hurkacz in straight sets, indicated that Draper was in good shape and poised to make a significant impact at this tournament. However, the abdominal issue interfered with his momentum.
In the lead-up to the Japan Open, Draper had faced some challenges in his tennis career, especially during the 2021, 2022, and 2023 seasons, where injuries had caused disruptions. Nevertheless, he had an injury-free period leading into 2024, which made this recent setback all the more disappointing for both him and his fans.
The match itself started with a bit of drama as rain briefly delayed the proceedings, prompting the closure of the roof over the court. Once play resumed, both Draper and Humbert exchanged breaks in the first set, demonstrating the competitive nature of their encounter. Draper’s resilience was evident when, despite being in pain, he managed to serve well and keep the first set competitive before succumbing to Humbert’s formidable cross-court shots.
Ultimately, Humbert will advance to face Tomas Machac of the Czech Republic in the next round, a competitor Draper had recently defeated at the US Open. For Draper, this exit from the tournament serves as a difficult reminder of the unpredictability of sports and the impact of injuries, but it’s hoped that he can bounce back quickly and return to his previous form in future competitions.
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