Jack Draper cruised past Sebastian Baez 6-1 6-3 to earn the first win of the season at the Adelaide International.
Draper earned a double break in the fourth and sixth games to win the first set 6-1 in 33 minutes. The British player broke twice more in the third and ninth games to seal the second set 6-3. Draper ended the match with 17 winners and did not face any break points.
“I was very happy with my performance today. It is not easy coming out in the first match of the year. I played here last year and I am looking forward to going as far as I can this week. I feel really strong at the moment and really happy with my body and my game. Hopefully I can continue to play injury free”, said Draper.
Draper will face either Miomir Kecmanovic or Mackenzie McDonald in the second round.
Draper reached his first semifinal in Eastbourne in 2022. He made a breakthrough in his career in August 2022 when he upset then world number 5 Stefanos Tsitsipas in the second round at the Canadian Open in Montreal to achieve his first top 10 win. Draper advanced to his first Masters 1000 quarter final before losing to eventual champion Pablo Carreno Busta in straight sets.
The 22-year-old British player finished the 2023 season on a high note by reaching his first ATP Tour final in Sofia with a win over Jan Lennard Struff. He became the youngest British player to reach an ATP Tour level final since Andy Murray in Miami 2009.
