Jack Draper emerges past Sebastian Ofner in Stuttgart, Katie Boulter and Heather Watson survive Nottingham Open tests
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ByEurosport
Updated 10/06/2024 at 18:34 GMT
Britain's Jack Draper beat Austria's Sebastian Ofner in straight sets at the Stuttgart Open in Germany on Monday. The No. 6 seed had to win two tie-breaks to reach the second round, and said afterwards he "didn't know" how he had stayed so calm. At the Nottingham Open, Katie Boulter and Heather Watson survived tough tests from Harriet Dart and Kayla Day respectively to reach the second round.
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Jack Draper said "staying present" was the key to defeating Sebastian Ofner 7-6(4) 7-6(5) in the first round of the Stuttgart Open on Monday.
Draper came to Germany as the sixth seed at the tournament, with the grass surface giving the Briton, and the rest of the entrants, the chance to hone their game ahead of Wimbledon.
The 22-year-old has never gone better than the second round at SW19, but a fourth-round exit at last year’s US Open suggested there was plenty of as-yet untapped potential for him.
"I thought it was a really good match," Draper said. "Both of us played really clean tennis, executing really well.
"When it came down to it, I'm glad I competed really well and got over the line - it's good to be back on the grass as well."
On how he stayed calm in the two tie-breaks that saw him edge past Ofner, Draper added: "I don't know.
"Everyone here is such a good player, they can play good tennis too, and sometimes you have to stay present and not let it affect you too much.
"I played point by point and I gave myself the opportunity to come through the match."
Highlights for Draper this year have included a final at the Adelaide International, as well as reaching the semi-finals of the Mexico Open.
Ofner reached the semi-finals in Hong Kong earlier this year, and ranked No. 45 in the world, he proved to be a tough opponent for Draper.
Draper edged the first set on a tie-break to go one up, and he impressed with his movement on the court.
Draper’s eight aces came at the expense of just three double faults as he used his powerful frame to his advantage.
However, things were no easier in the second set, as it went to a decisive tie-break with Ofner under pressure to stay in the match, but Draper claimed it 7-5 to move into the last 16.
Watson recovers to win first-round match against Day
Heather Watson beat Kayla Day 4-6 6-0 6-4 in the first round of the Nottingham Open on Monday.
The match was initially delayed due to rain, but as the sun emerged so did Watson’s fine form to take the match in three.
Day took the first set, in what was her first tour-level match on grass. But Watson found her feet in the second and recovered to dominate that set.
A gruelling second set culminated in an exquisitely played shot from Watson, who manoeuvred the 24-year-old American in close to the net with a drop shot, opening up Day’s left for Watson to volley into and win the match.
It was only the second time in two years that Watson won a match after losing the first set.
The 32-year-old made it to the semi-finals of this tournament last year, where she lost to Katie Boulter.
She thanked the Nottingham crowd after the tie, saying how nice it was to see the court packed with people.
“I just want to thank everyone so much for coming out here today, it’s so nice to walk onto court and it be full,” Watson said. “I’m just so happy to be back in Nottingham and it’s brought out the best in me today.
“I have to say, I couldn’t wait to get on the grass from the clay-court season this year. It wasn’t a good one for me, I don’t think the clay suits my game very well but when I came onto the grass, the first day of practice I just felt at home. I felt I knew my identity as a player again and it’s just such a joy to play at home. Us Brits are so lucky to have a whole hunk of the season here at home.
"I definitely started the match tentative, quite nervous, kind of pushing balls and then the second set I just sort of totally reset and regrouped and decided ‘If I’m gonna go out, it’s gonna be the right way.'
"I’m looking forward to my next match and hopefully, I just keep getting better."
Boulter survives Dart barrage to secure second-round spot
In a rematch of last year's quarter-final, Katie Boulter defeated Harriet Dart 6-7(5) 6-4 7-5 after a gruelling three-hour match at the Nottingham Open on Monday.
The two 27-year-old British players battled for three hours and 13 minutes in a clash that saw UK No. 1 Boulter come out on top and secure a place in the second round.
Dart took the first set after a tie-break. The first set took an epic 64 minutes to finish, with break after break happening.
Dart then let a number of calls get to her in the second set and took her issues up with the umpire and match referee. With one call, she told the umpire "I would bet £50,000 that ball was out. Honestly it's a joke. The whole crowd said out. Chalk dust. You know I'm right."
It allowed Boulter to play her normal game and take the second set to tie up the match.
Then came another hour-long set to cap this fatiguing clash. The two Brits were neck and neck, trading break points and holds.
Every time Boulter threatened to pull away, Dart dragged her back and tied the set.
Dart put up an immense fight, but Boulter won the third set after her opponent denied her numerous match points. Dart hit the net and ensured that Boulter endured to secure her place in the next round.
Boulter spoke after the match, giving her opponent massive credit following the exhausting match.
Boulter spoke after the match, giving her opponent massive credit following the exhausting match.
“Full credit to her, that was an absolute battle," Boulter said. "I know she’s an incredible grass-court player and I'm sure she's gonna have a really good swing coming up.
"I just tried to fight and stay in the points and do the very best that I could because she was playing some seriously good stuff. Full credit to her for a great battle.
“I would have taken a much easier win, that’s for sure. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a three-hour, 13-minute grass-court match. I’m not sure how that's possible. But yeah, that was a really good level from both of us, I’m just really happy to be through."
Boulter won last year's Nottingham Open and kickstarted an incredible year for her that saw her break into the top 30 in the world.
“As you guys know this place is pretty special to me and to actually be back out here, it gives me goosebumps because this is where it all started," she added.
"This is where it kickstarted my really good year. I mean I’ve put a lot of work in and no matter what happened today I was super proud of my year. I’m just gonna keep on fighting, keep on working hard and hopefully the good results will come too."
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