Jack Draper Advances in Qatar Open with Solid Win Over Popyrin

DOHA, Qatar — Jack Draper secured his place in the second round of the Qatar Open after a decisive victory against Alexei Popyrin on Monday, winning in straight sets, 6-2, 7-6 (7-4). This match marked Draper’s first competitive outing since retiring injured during his Australian Open match against Carlos Alcaraz in January.

The eighth seed started strong, needing only 27 minutes to dominate the first set, as Popyrin struggled to handle Draper’s powerful first serves. Draper displayed confidence and solid form, breaking the Australian’s serve twice early on.

The second set proved to be more challenging for Draper. Despite saving a set point while trailing 5-6, he maintained his composure. He ultimately clinched the victory in the tie-break, finishing the match with two aces.

“It felt great to be back on the court,” Draper said after the match. “I was nervous, but I managed to find my rhythm quickly and played well under pressure.”

Draper’s victory sets the stage for a challenging second-round match against Australian qualifier Christopher O'Connell. Should Draper advance, he could face world number one Novak Djokovic in the quarter-finals, with Djokovic aiming for his 100th career ATP title.

Earlier in the day, top-seeded Carlos Alcaraz also progressed to the round of 16, defeating former US Open champion Marin Cilic 6-4, 6-4. Cilic, competing for the first time since November due to a knee injury, fought valiantly but failed to convert three crucial break points that would have given him a significant advantage.

“I am really happy that I stayed calm at that moment. I managed to breathe, go through my routines, and make good points,” Alcaraz stated about his performance. “That’s why I was able to win in two sets.”

Alcaraz is set to play either Zhang Zhizhen or Luca Nardi in the next round. His victory brings his record to 10 wins and one loss in 2025, solidifying his return to form.

As the tournament progresses, several other top players, including Daniil Medvedev, Andrey Rublev, and Stefano Tsitsipas, are scheduled to play their first-round matches on Tuesday.