Draper delivers one-two Winston-Salem punch

Brit Jack Draper followed up on his first-round defeat of Fabio Fognini by dispatching former US Open winner Dominic Thiem 6-1, 6-4 in Winston-Salem on Wednesday.

The 20-year-old winner reached his third quarter-final of the season in 80 minutes, throwing down eight aces while former Top five player Tiem suffered through seven double-faults with his serve broken three times.

 “I was really good behind serve, really solid,” Draper said.

“In the second set it was tough because he was coming up with some amazing shots. It was a real honour to be on court with Dominic. He’s an amazing player.”

Draper dominated a player still fighting back after various injuries which began 14 months ago.

The 55th-ranked Briton got away to 5-0 and put his Austrian opponent under pressure with a dozen break points.

“I started confidently,” 13th seed Draper said. “I was hitting through the ball, felt good in the conditions. 

“I felt like everyone was supporting Dominic and I knew that I needed to come out confidently and sharp, and that’s what I did.”

Second seed Botic van de Zandschulp advanced 6-3, 6-3 over Spain’s Jaume Munar to now face French 10th seed Benjamin Bonzi, a 7-5, 6-2 winner against Thiago Monteiro.

Main photo:- Dominic Thiem congratulates Jack Draper after second round Winston Salem win by ATPTour.com

Bill Scott

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