Keep calm and carry on – Draper gets off French Open mark

Jack Draper, a British player, claims that the key to his first French Open victory was to trust his tennis to “click into place.”

Draper, who is fifth overall, fought off Italy’s Mattia Bellucci, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4, 6-2, to break through the gears.

The British men’s number one made his first two Roland Garros appearances, but he has since proven himself to be a real force on the clay this year.

After defeating 68th-ranked Bellucci, Draper said he is still learning the benefits of being more patient at Grand Slam events’ five-set format.

He claimed that he wasn’t panicking when I lost the first set today.

“In a three-set match, for example, I’m typically quite aggressive and overly full, but in a Grand Slam match, you can’t be that because the match is just too long,” I said.

Six British singles players won the French Open first round for the first time since 1973 thanks to the 23-year-old Englishman’s victory.

For the wrong reasons, Draper’s previous visits to Roland Garros have been forgettable.

The left-hander retired two years ago and complained about being known as “the guy who hurts a lot” before suffering with his serve in a miserable defeat against Jesper de Jong, who was ranked 176th overall.

He has come back this year as a different proposition with a compelling case.

“Winning my first match here feels incredible,” Draper said.

However, I’m coming here because I want to compete well. I believe I can accomplish that and have the confidence to do so.

Draper has experienced a rapid rise over the past 12 months and achieved a number of notable career milestones.

He won ATP titles on grass and hard courts last year, and he also won his first clay-court final last month in Madrid, making it to the top five of the world. He also won his first Grand Slam semi-final at last year’s US Open.

According to seasoned sportspeople, Draper has the ability to perform well on the red carpet, and Tim Henman, the former world number four, said his best qualities, which include his left-handed serve and his forehand, could “work on any surface.”

Draper once more demonstrated that when he faced Bellucci.

Cutting out double faults also increased the volume of forehand winners, rising from 58% of points won with the opening shot in the first set to 92% in the second, and boosting his first serve’s dominance.

Gael Monfils, who came from two sets down to defeat Bolivia’s Hugo Dellien in Tuesday’s evening match, will be Draper’s next opponent.

Monfils stumbled heavily into a courtside advertising board in the first game when attempting to play a forehand.

The 38-year-old was treated for his hand and knee, but it still appeared to be having trouble in subsequent games.