Jack Draper overcame a frustrating experience against Corentin Moutet, winning 1-6 6-4 6-3 to set up a quarter-final showdown with Carlos Alcaraz in Rome.
The British number one made a slow start to the match with Moutet backing up his win over Holger Rune with a strong opening set.
However, Draper found his confidence in the last two sets as he edged his way into the Rome quarter-finals.
After the match Draper described the opening set as ‘uncomfortable’ and admitted it is a frustrating experience facing the unpredictable Frenchman, “I mean, I don’t think I played many people like him before. Credit to him,” Draper told reporters after the contest.
“Actually, I started off pretty well. When we kind of got into it from there, I felt like very uncomfortable. I didn’t really know what to do. Kind of got away from me the first set. Thought I just had to start off the second from scratch. Knew I had to change a few things tactically, be there for every point because his level wasn’t going to drop.
“That’s one of his biggest strengths, is that he frustrates players massively. There’s not many like him. His dropshots are incredible. Especially on a slow clay court, probably his best court to play on. Tactically I think he had a game plan from the start. He was moving around his backhand really well. Started volleying a lot.
“I was a bit caught off guard with what he was bringing. To end up coming through the match, problem solving, is really important for my development I think at this stage.
“I knew that. Really, really happy with the way I problem solved. I think there’s a lot of lessons I can take from that match.”
It’s now eight wins in his last nine matches as he is into another Masters 1000 quarter-final in Madrid.
A massive task awaits Draper next in the form of Roland Garros champion Carlos Alcaraz who came through in three sets against Karen Khachanov.
However, Draper has dismissed talk that it is a tough match as he looks to send out a statement ahead of the second Grand Slam of the season, “I don’t really think about it too much. Obviously I suppose we’re both in the top five in the world now,” Draper stated.
“But I see it as just two guys who are playing great tennis going out there and wanting to win and beat each other and be competitive. I have big respect for him. I know what he’s going to bring. He’s going to be really tough to beat.
“I feel strong and I feel good about the match. I hope that I can bring some really good tennis.”
Alcaraz leads the head-to-head 3-2 but Draper won their most recent meeting at Indian Wells where he went on to claim his first Masters 1000 title.
The match will take place tomorrow at the Foro Italico.
