LONDON: Jack Draper delighted home fans at The All England Club on Tuesday with a solid performance on Court One against an injured Sebastian Baez, who was forced to retire.
Draper, who is the highest-seeded Brit in the men’s draw since 2017, eased his way to a 6-2, 6-2, 2-1, lead over the world No.38 without facing a single break point. Then Baez opted to stop playing due to a knee issue.
The Argentine took a nasty slip around the baseline during the early stages of the second set, where he looked to have twisted his knee. He then received a five-minute medical timeout and continued playing until early in the third set. It is the third time he has been forced to retire from a Grand Slam match after doing so twice at the US Open in 2022 and 2024. Baez hasn’t won a Tour-level match on grass since Eastbourne 2023.
“I wanted to play a bit longer, in all honesty,” Draper said during his on-court interview.
“I was getting my tennis together a little bit and I was serving well. It’s no way to win like that and I wish Sebastian the best in his recovery.
“I just try and focus on the things I can control. Coming out here, giving my very best and hopefully playing the best tennis I can.”
Despite Draper’s rapid rise in recent months, he is yet to go beyond the second round at Wimbledon. Something the Brit is expected to achieve this year after winning a Masters 1000 title and reaching the final of another since January. He was also recently a semi-finalist at Queen’s.
“I don’t think about it until people mention it every five minutes! I just think about what I can control and play the best tennis I can,” the Brit said about dealing with pressure at SW19.
“You can’t think about any of that. I’m really looking forward to this next week or so, it’s going to be great.
“I have to face whoever is in front of me, I can’t be thinking about five matches ahead. I focus on whoever is up next. Everyone who is in this draw is in on their own merit, they can all play incredible tennis. Until I earn my place in the next round, I’m not there yet.”
Zverev falls to French No.72
There were no celebrations on Centre Court for Alexander Zverev, who suffered a shock 7-6(3), 6-7(8), 6-3, 6-7(5), 6-4, loss to Arthur Rinderknech in a match that began on Monday evening before getting suspended. It is the German’s earliest exit from any major event for six years, which was also at Wimbledon. Coming into the tournament, he had reached the quarter-finals or better in five out of his last six major events played.
Zverev is the 12th and highest-seeded player to exit the men’s draw at Wimbledon so far this year. Other high-profile casualties include Holger Rune, Lorenzo Musetti and Daniil Medvedev.
In the second round, Rinderknech will take on Cristian Garin. Meanwhile, Draper faces former US Open champion Marin Cilic.
MORE TO FOLLOW
