Jack Draper rounded off a rare faultless day for British tennis at the French Open as he outmuscled the diminutive Mattia Bellucci – one of the smaller men in the draw at 5ft 9in tall – to record a four-set win.
Draper’s win made it six out of seven for the British contingent in round one, and three out of three on Tuesday. How different to the dismal scenes we saw here a year ago, when all six entrants failed to register a win between them.
This was not quite the best return of the Open era, but it came mighty close. In 1973, seven Britons reached the second round of Roland Garros, including Roger Taylor, John Lloyd, Mark Cox and Virginia Wade. What we haven’t seen before is such an even balance, with three men and three women still in the running.
To return to Draper – the No 5 seed who clearly has the best chance to reach the later rounds – he is dealing with enormous expectation here, after arriving in Paris third on the prize-money list for 2025 after Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.
The pressure was on him to deal with Bellucci – the world No 66 – without fuss. And it may have contributed to a patchy first-set performance that featured five double-faults.
Jack Draper defeats Mattia Bellucci to advance to the 2nd round of #RolandGarros for the first time in his career 📈 pic.twitter.com/TmX9MilWaE
— TNT Sports (@tntsports) May 27, 2025
Yet we should also credit Bellucci for an all-action opening, which found him leaping into every shot like a jack-in-the-box. He sprang out to a 5-1 lead, and although Draper reeled him back to 5–3, Bellucci then snatched the set with the cheekiest underarm serve imaginable.
At this point, Draper showed his experience. He used the changeover at the end of the set to reboot and came out with a much more self-assured mien. From that moment on, his forehand was large and in charge, driving him on to a 3-6, 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 victory in two hours and 34 minutes. Bellucci fought bravely but he had to work so much harder than Draper on a physical level, constantly jumping to absorb the top-spin coming at him, and in the end the effort left him drained.
Earlier, Sonay Kartal had thrashed Erika Andreeva, the 20-year-old Russian with a more famous younger sister, by a 6-0, 6-2 scoreline. This was a fine exhibition of clay-court tennis from a woman who loves the surface, using height and spin to drag Andreeva all over the court.
Even if she goes no further, Kartal now has a good chance of cracking the top 50 when the next set of rankings are published in a couple of weeks’ time.
In the meantime, she plans to celebrate her victory in her own way – which meant booking a tattoo parlour for Wednesday afternoon.
“I actually had one booked tomorrow at 11am. But I’m on [playing doubles with Jodie Burrage] at 11am. My sister just texted me and she’s changed it to 4pm. I’m not actually sure what I’m going to get. I know she wants to get one, as well. I think she wants matching, so I’ll get whatever she wants.
“It’s going to be on my left arm somewhere. I tend to just chuck them on and they’re a bit scattered at the minute. I’ve got 13, I’ve been stuck on that and I haven’t been able to get [another], so I’m happy to take it to 14.”
06:55 PM BST
Thanks for joining us
That brings our coverage of Jack Draper’s opening-round win over Mattia Bellucci to an end.
The Brit went a set down after an inspired start from his opponent but he quickly grew into the match and produced a dominant performance to cruise to a 3-1 victory in the end.
Thanks for joining us!
06:51 PM BST
Successful opening round for Brits
Drapers victory this evening means there are six Brits into the second round. One of those is Emma Raducanu, who will face defending champion Iga Swiatek on Court Philippe-Chatrier on Wednesday.
06:46 PM BST
That first French Open win feeling
06:43 PM BST
Up next for Draper
Following his victory today, Draper will take on the winner of the match between home favourite Gael Monfils and Hugo Dellien of Bolivia in the second round.
06:42 PM BST
‘Staying fit and hard work’ - Draper points to reasons for success
Discussing whether the conditions were heavy, he said: “It was a little different indoors, a little bit more humid. It doesn’t seem you can get the same amount of speed out of the ball as if the roof was open.
“I thought I adapted pretty well after the first set. It’s not about how you start. It’s about how you finish and I finished pretty well.”
On what has contributed to his recent success, he said: “Staying fit and hard work, good people around me, focussing on being consistent every day.”
06:39 PM BST
‘Proud of turnaround’ - Draper discusses opening round victory
Speaking about the atmosphere after his win, Jack Draper said on court: “It was incredible, especially with the roof on, you guys showed amazing support to both players, I really appreciate you guys coming out, it’s why we play, so thank you.
On his opponent’s fast start, he said: “Bellucci came out, he played really aggressive from the start, was coming out with amazing shots, he caught me a little off guard.
“I was serving a couple of double-faults which doesn’t help at this level, everyone plays incredible tennis so the margins are so small.
“I am really proud of the way I was able to turn the game on its head, I started to be more aggressive, it was a tough battle, credit to Bellucci he played incredible.”
06:29 PM BST
Draper seals first-ever Roland Garros victory
So here it is, Draper serving for the match and his first ever win at Roland Garros win. No signs of pressure as he starts with an ace.
Bellucci’s next return of serve goes long and it’s 30-0. Draper comes to the net on the next point and can send a backhand winner into the corner to set up three match points.
A sensational forehand winner into the same corner on the next point and Draper is through to the second round. After a shaky opening set, the Brit grew into the match and ended up completely dominating to win 3-6, 6-1, 6-4, 6-2.
06:25 PM BST
Draper* 3-6, 6-1, 6-4, 5-2 Bellucci (*denotes next server)
A sensational backhand winner down the line from Draper and he takes the lead in this game. You feel the finish line in this match is fast approaching.
Bellucci responds with a superb forehand winner of his own to level things, though. But some solid defence from Draper follows and he forces the mistake from the Italian who sends a tired forehand into the net.
The world No 68 drags a backhand wide and it’s two break points now for Draper. The Brit goes for the backhand winner down the line but catches the net so it’s back to 30-40.
Draper dominates on the next point following his opponent’s second serve and he smashes down the winner to make the double-break. He will now be serving for the match!
06:21 PM BST
Draper 3-6, 6-1, 6-4, 4-2 Bellucci* (*denotes next server)
A sensational serve and volley sees Draper pick up where he left off from the last game. He swiftly follows it up with an ace and things are looking ominous for Bellucci.
Another unreturned serve and it’s 40-0 in the blink of an eye. The next point actually becomes a rally and it’s the Italian who comes out on top. 40-15.
How does Draper respond? With yet another ace. That was a rapid hold of serve.
06:18 PM BST
Draper* 3-6, 6-1, 6-4, 3-2 Bellucci (*denotes next server)
Draper reads the Bellucci drop-shot and is then able to smash down the attempted lob from the Italian to take the lead in this game.
The Brit then sends Bellucci chasing around the court and eventually wears him down to go 0-30 up. A tired backhand from the Italian gifts Draper three break points.
An outrageous return from Draper, smashed down the line from out wide, seals this game and earns him what is likely to be the all-important break.
06:14 PM BST
Draper 3-6, 6-1, 6-4, 2-2 Bellucci* (*denotes next server)
Draper goes long from the baseline at the start of his next service game but then finds the ace to make amends. Again, Bellucci calls the umpire to come and have a look but, again, he has no luck. The umpire seems to be getting slightly fed up with the Italian.
A powerful first serve from the Brit is unreturned but he follows it up with a double-fault. It’s 30 each.
He finds the first serve this time though and again, Bellucci is unable to find a return. Draper then finds the winner on the next point to hold once again.
06:10 PM BST
Draper* 3-6, 6-1, 6-4, 1-2 Bellucci (*denotes next server)
Draper stops the dominance of the servers as he takes the first point of the next game but Bellucci responds with a delightful volley at the net which earns the applause of Draper.
The Brit pulls out a sensational cross-court winner to establish a lead again in this game but again Bellucci responds, this time with a wonderful ace.
But it’s Draper who edges back in front after being given time to execute the passing shot with the Italian at the net. Break point.
Draper sets the point up perfectly but sends his volley wide. He was slightly on the stretch in fairness but it’s deuce.
The Brit’s next return of serve goes long and his opponent lets out a roar. Bellucci then pulls off a sensational forehand winner that finds the baseline for a crucial hold.
06:05 PM BST
Draper 3-6, 6-1, 6-4, 1-1 Bellucci* (*denotes next server)
Draper takes the first couple of points of his next service game, forcing Bellucci to go long from the baseline on both occasions.
A terrific forehand winner that lands just in front of the baseline takes Draper to 40-0. A wayward return of serve and it’s another hold to love!
06:03 PM BST
Draper* 3-6, 6-1, 6-4, 0-1 Bellucci (*denotes next server)
It’s a terrific start to the fourth set from Bellucci as he holds to love with a host of really strong first serves, including an ace.
He will be hoping for plenty more of those types of games.
05:58 PM BST
Draper takes the lead as he wins third set 6-4
There are new balls as Draper looks to serve out this third set. He starts with a double-fault. A really strange second serve that wasn’t close to going over the net.
He recovers with a strong second point and it’s 15-15. Draper goes close to another double-fault with his second serve only just catching the line but he goes on to win the point.
A very timely ace follows and he has two set points. A superb ground stroke that catches the baseline secures the third set for Draper.
05:54 PM BST
Draper* 3-6, 6-1, 5-4 Bellucci (*denotes next server)
Draper dominates the first couple of points in Bellucci’s next service game and he senses he can wrap up this third set here and now.
A fierce passing shot from the Brit goes just long though so it’s back to 15-30 for Bellucci. Draper then looks to be on top during the next point but finds the net and it’s 30 each.
Bellucci sends a forehand long, though, and it’s set point Draper. A very timely ace from Bellucci and he lets out a roar.
Draper’s next return of serve is into the net and he sends his next one long, so it will be the Brit serving for the set up next.
05:49 PM BST
Draper 3-6, 6-1, 5-3 Bellucci* (*denotes next server)
Draper comes to the net with the first point of this next game at his mercy but catches the net with his volley. Perhaps a lapse in concentration.
A crushing backhand winner brings the Brit level though.
Bellucci then appeals that Draper’s next serve went wide, calling the referee down to have a look and appears to be pointing at a mark that was miles wide but clearly wasn’t the correct one. He obviously doesn’t get the decision.
A couple of aces see Draper take the game with ease.
05:44 PM BST
Draper* 3-6, 6-1, 4-3 Bellucci (*denotes next server)
Draper finds the net at the start of Bellucci’s next service game but the Italian goes long with the forehand on the next point and it’s 15 each.
An ace from Berllucci before a strong serve out wide see him take a 40-15 lead. Another wide serve forces the error from Draper and the deficit is back to one.
05:42 PM BST
Draper 3-6, 6-1, 4-2 Bellucci* (*denotes next server)
Draper falls behind at the start of this sixth game with a long ground stroke but Bellucci’s forehand on the next point is wayward and it’s 15 each.
Bellucci stays in the point with some incredible defence before hitting a spectacular forehand winner that catches the line. The Italian’s subsequent return of serve goes long and it’s 30-30.
Draper’s just struggling to land his first serves at the moment and his opponent capitalises, forcing the break point with a dominant rally off the Brit’s second serve.
Well that told me... an ace from Draper to make it deuce. Draper looks out of it on the next point but shows great pace to get across the court before sending a thunderous forehand down the line from out wide. Superb.
Bellucci’s next return of serve is into the net and that’s a fabulous hold from Draper.
05:35 PM BST
Draper* 3-6, 6-1, 3-2 Bellucci (*denotes next server)
Bellucci takes the lead in his next service game with a strong winner before a Draper mis-hit lands just beyond the baseline.
An ace from the Italian and it’s looking like another quick service game. He catches the net with his forehand slice, though, so it won’t be a hold to love.
He won’t care though as Draper’s return of serve goes long.
05:33 PM BST
Draper 3-6, 6-1, 3-1 Bellucci* (*denotes next server)
Draper appeared to be lining up a drop-shot but sliced one back to the baseline and it forced the mistake from Bellucci as he sent his return beyond the baseline.
A mis-hit by Belluccci and an ace from Draper take the Brit 40-0 up but he sends a ground stroke long on the next point.
The world No 5 can send a winner past his opponent who had come to the net on the next point, though, and the fourth game of this set is his.
05:30 PM BST
Draper* 3-6, 6-1, 2-1 Bellucci (*denotes next server)
A hard-earned break from Draper there. His shirt has been saturated with sweat since the start of the match, in humid conditions under the roof.
Meanwhile, the Bellucci backhand is a gorgeous shot. It flies flat through the air and lands deep in the court. It’s unusual to see Draper losing backhand-to-backhand rallies with a fellow leftie because he loves his own double-hander, but this is a pattern he needs to stay away from.
05:28 PM BST
Draper* 3-6, 6-1, 2-1 Bellucci (*denotes next server)
Bellucci is just growing back into this match and he sends a forehand winner down the line, with Draper guessing the other way.
Another lengthy exchange of backhands ends with Bellucci sending one long but he sends Draper wide with the next serve and the return goes long. 30-15.
Another backhand goes long, though, from the lower-ranked player and the scores go level.
Some superb defensive work from Draper keeps him in the point and he is able to clinch it as he reads the drop-shot from his opponent to play a drop-shot of his own and earn the break point.
After what was probably the longest rally of the match, the point goes Bellucci’s way as Draper’s sliced drop-shot finds the net. Deuce it is.
Bellucci’s backhand finds the net so it’s another break point for Draper, but he can’t take this one either as Bellucci finds the line with a backhand, forcing the Brit to send one wide.
A tired backhand from Draper catches the net but so does the sliced backhand from his opponent on the next point. Back to deuce.
Another sensational point with some excellent defensive work from Draper ends with Bellucci sending a cross-court backhand wide. So the third break point of this game for Draper.
A mis-hit forehand from the Italian gifts Draper the break. A huge moment!
05:18 PM BST
Draper 3-6, 6-1, 1-1 Bellucci* (*denotes next server)
Draper starts the next game with a strong serve that forces Bellucci to go long with the return. He then comes out on top of a lengthy rally with the Italian going long once again.
Bellucci then finds a forehand winner down the line and follows it up with a really early return on a Draper second serve that catches the Brit cold.
The next return of serve is long though Draper lets out a “come on”. That was a big point. The Brit then produces an ace and that was a really important hold.
05:14 PM BST
Draper* 3-6, 6-1, 0-1 Bellucci (*denotes next server)
It’s Bellucci to serve at the start of this third set. Can he impose himself on this match once again?
Draper’s backhand goes long and that should settle the Italian a touch. He then pulls out an ace and that will certainly settle him.
He goes for the serve and volley but Draper’s return is down at his feet and he can’t make the return. The Italian’s cross-court forehand then goes wide and Draper is back level in this game.
The world No 68 comes out on top of a lengthy exchange of backhands as Draper drifts one long and he can seal this game with a strong serve on the next point.
05:09 PM BST
Draper takes the second set with ease to level proceedings
Draper’s really starting to dominate the longer rallies now and he sends his opponent out wide before hitting the forehand winner to the other side of the court to tae the first point of this game.
He follows that up with an ace and it’s 30-0. The Brit can then come towards the net and send a crushing forehand down the line to set up three set points.
Bellucci sends his return of serve long and Draper is back level in a flash. Really impressive from the British No 1.
05:06 PM BST
Draper* 3-6, 5-1 Bellucci (*denotes next server)
An error from Bellucci sees him fall behind in his next service game before Draper completely dominates the next point to go 30-0 up.
Another unforced error from the Italian as his ground stroke goes long and it’s three break points for Draper. The Brit sends one long of his own though so the deficit is reduced.
A failed drop-shot follows from Bellucci though, and Draper has the double break.
05:04 PM BST
Draper 3-6, 4-1 Bellucci* (*denotes next server)
It’s gone a little quiet on Court Suzanne Lenglen as Draper has reasserted the natural order of things with five strong games. Physically, he has a significant advantage as a 6ft 4in hulk facing a 5ft 9in scrapper. Bellucci is having to jump into so many of his shots to deal with the heavy topspin coming at him, and that is enormously draining on the legs.
05:03 PM BST
Draper 3-6, 4-1 Bellucci* (*denotes next server)
Draper takes the first point of his next service game as he comes to the net and makes the smashed volley.
Bellucci’s backhand then goes just long and he fails to return the next serve. An ace from Draper sees another game go by in a flash.
The Brit’s first hold to love of the match.
05:00 PM BST
Draper* 3-6, 3-1 Bellucci (*denotes next server)
Can Bellucci respond to this Draper momentum? He will take that - Draper sending his return on the Italian’s second serve long.
A mis-hit from Bellucci tees it up for Draper to slam home but his volley goes just long.
The Italian goes for the underarm serve once again but this one finds the net. He then goes for the serve and volley on the second serve and wins the point with a delicate half-volleyed drop-shot at the net.
He finishes the game off with an ace. That was all very simple!
04:56 PM BST
Draper 3-6, 3-0 Bellucci* (*denotes next server)
Draper is really growing into this now, getting his opponent on the back foot at the start of this game and coming forward for forehand winner.
Another dominant rally from the Brit forces Bellucci to send a ground stroke long and the Italian’s next return of serve is into the net.
Bellucci gobbles up Draper’s second serve with a thunderous forehand but his next return is straight into the net and it’s a quick hold of serve from the world No 5.
04:54 PM BST
Draper* 3-6, 2-0 Bellucci (*denotes next server)
Draper reads Bellucci’s attempted forehand winner well and can send a backhand winner of his own into a vacant far end of the court.
A mis-hit forehand from Draper concludes another lengthy rally between the pair. Its 15 each.
Draper shows good agility to reach the drop-shot and gets slightly lucky as his own drop-shot dribbles over the net, forcing the wayward lob from Bellucci.
The Italian crashes a forehand into the net and Draper has a couple of break points. A big moment this.
Draper is stretching as he is forced out wide and sends a forehand wide. He dominates the next rally though and can crush a forehand winner into the corner to get the break.
04:48 PM BST
Draper 3-6, 1-0 Bellucci* (*denotes next server)
It’s Draper to serve first in this second set. Can he respond to that fabulous start by his opponent? He should take encouragement after growing into things as the set went on.
The Brit takes the first two points in routine fashion but sends a forehand wide on the third. 30-15 Draper. A sublime forehand winner from Bellucci sees him come out on top of a lengthy rally to level things.
Draper produces a huge serve, though, to take the lead once again and Bellucci finds the net on the next point, so a good start from the British No 1.
04:43 PM BST
Cheeky from Bellucci
Incredible way to end the set! Bellucci is inspired right now, and that underarm serve can only be described as extremely cheeky. On the upside for Draper, he grew into the contest a little, and should be able to reboot somewhat at this changeover.
04:42 PM BST
Bellucci takes the first set 6-3
Bellucci finds the net with the approach shot at the start of this ninth game and is that perhaps a sign of tension as he looks to close out this first set?
It very well could be as his drop-shot on the next point also fails to evade the net. He does the same again and Draper has three break points.
A strong serve allows him to dominate the next point before a serve and volley reduces the deficit to 30-40. A mis-hit forehand from Draper and the game goes to deuce.
The Italian dominates the next rally to create a set point but Draper comes out on top following a lengthy exchange of backhands.
A crushing backhand down the line sees Bellucci earn a second set point but he finds the net on the next point with Draper out wide and the set at his mercy.
Draper gets Bellucci on the back foot and the Italian’s defensive slice drifts long. Break point Draper. The Brit comes to the net to meet Bellucci’s drop-shot but the Italian pulls off the lob and Draper goes long after retreating to reach it.
Bellucci then finds the line with a forehand winner and he is able to claim the set on the next point after pulling out the underarm serve! The audacity.
04:31 PM BST
Draper 3-5 Bellucci* (*denotes next server)
So Draper is serving to stay in this first set but he will be hugely boosted by that last game. The Brit takes the first point but Bellucci unleashes a really powerful forehand to take the second.
A draper forehand misses the line by a matter of centimetres and he’s under a bit of pressure now. He pulls a strong, wide serve out the bag, though, and it’s 30-30.
Bellucci’s return of serve goes long and he misses the baseline again on the next point so the game goes to Draper.
04:27 PM BST
Draper* 2-5 Bellucci (*denotes next server)
So Bellucci is already serving for the first set. No signs of pressure as he executes a serve and volley on the opening point.
A strong Draper forehand is too much for the Italian and the Brit dominates the next rally as he wrong-foots Bellucci to take the lead in this game.
Draper’s return of serve goes long and Bellucci lets out an almighty “come on!”
A rare weak forehand finds the net, though, and Draper has a break point of his own. It’s superb though from the Italian, sending his opponent out wide with the serve before hitting the winner into the other half of the court.
But a crushing cross-court forehand from Draper earns him another break point and he dominates the next point to break back! Great character from the 23-year-old.
04:22 PM BST
Draper 1-5 Bellucci* (*denotes next server)
Bellucci goes wide on the first point but Draper finds the net on the next and it’s 15-15.
Draper eventually finishes off the third point with a smash at the net before Bellucci goes wide with his next return of serve and it’s 40-15.
Draper comes to the net on the next point but Bellucci sends a sensational backhand winner down the line. The Brit comes to the net again but sends a drop-shot wide and Bellucci has pegged it back to deuce.
The drop-shot doesn’t come off this time for Bellucci and Draper has the advantage. It’s another double-fault though. Back to deuce. And again! Another break point for the Italian.
Bellucci goes for the drop-shot once again but Draper does superbly to reach it and force the error from his opponent.
The Brit’s powerful serve forces the error on the next point and he lets out a “come on”. A mis-hit forehand though and we are back to deuce once again.
You guessed it... another double fault so another break point for Bellucci. That’s Draper’s fifth of the match already. He works his opponent round the court nicely though and recovers this one.
A Bellucci drop-shot draws the drop-shot from Draper and the Italian finishes it off with a superb winner. A sensational forehand winner on the next point and he has he double-break!
04:13 PM BST
Draper* 1-4 Bellucci (*denotes next server)
After such a barnstorming start by the British players at Roland Garros, we weren’t expecting Draper to be the one to struggle.
But Bellucci has come out like a man possessed here. He’s leaping into every shot like a jack-in-the-box. It seems unlikely that he can keep this up for two hours.
04:13 PM BST
Draper* 1-4 Bellucci (*denotes next server)
Bellucci finds the net on the first point as he looks to build on that break of serve but moves Draper around on the next point to make space for the winner into an empty court.
Another sumptuous drop-shot on the back hand and Bellucci goes 30-15 up. He then pulls out an ace and is on the verge of a 4-1 lead.
The Italian brings Draper to the net with another drop-shot but finds the net with the volley and this game isn’t over just yet.
The longest rally of the match follows but it’s Bellucci who comes out on top, sending a backhand down the line that wrongfoots Draper.
04:09 PM BST
Draper 1-3 Bellucci* (*denotes next server)
Some powerful ground strokes from Draper see him dominate the first point of the fourth game but he follows it up with a double-fault.
Bellucci is then stretching every inch of his body to return a serve but in turn produces a remarkable drop-shot that Draper fails to get to.
Bellucci then attacks Draper’s serve to establish two break points.
Draper survives the first as Bellucci fails to return the first serve but a double-fault follows and Draper is broken!
04:04 PM BST
Draper* 1-2 Bellucci (*denotes next server)
Bellucci produces a disguised backhand drop-shot to take the lead in his second service game before Draper fails to return a powerful first serve.
A powerful forehand forces Draper to go long before another delightful sliced drop-shot wraps up this third game with ease.
04:00 PM BST
Draper 1-1 Bellucci* (*denotes next server)
A vicious forehand winner sees Bellucci take the lead in the second game. After a nervous start he’s now really imposing himself.
Draper responds with an ace, though, before a forehand goes long from the Italian. 30-15 to the Brit.
Draper finds the net on the next point but he produces another ace to go within one point of this second game.
A powerful backhand down the line forces the mistake and it’s one each.
03:57 PM BST
Draper* 0-1 Bellucci (*denotes next server)
It’s a nervous double-fault to start the match from Bellucci. The umpire then calls a Bellucci forehand wide on the second point and it’s 0-30.
She comes down to double-check the call and sticks with her decision. The Italian questions the call and the umpire asks: “Can you see it from there?”
The world No 68 manages to turn things around though and a couple of long ground strokes from Draper see the first game wrapped up.
03:52 PM BST
Here we go!
The warm-ups are over and we are just moments from getting underway. It’s Bellucci to serve first.
03:52 PM BST
Head-to-head
The pair have met just once before in the round of 32 in Tokyo last year. Draper came through in straight sets.
03:50 PM BST
Draper ‘confident’ for first round match
Speaking recently to TNT Sports, Jack Draper said: “I feel confident.
“I am happy with my preparation, I feel like I have played really well on the clay so far this year. I am definitely feeling different coming into the Grand Slams, I feel like I want to have deep runs.
“I understand that that is kind of the next step for me and I am fully focused on wanting to do that. Obviously, there are a lot of great players in the draw so we will see how it goes but I’ll take each match as it comes and see.
“I also feel strong, I feel ready to go match after match if I need to at this stage. I know it is difficult, I haven’t won a match here. The first year I came here I got injured and last year I was going through some changes and I struggled, I lost in the first round.
“I am just looking forward to seeing how it goes and accepting that challenge.”
03:47 PM BST
Players out for their warm-ups
The players have just made their way out on to Court Suzanne-Lenglen, which is covered by the roof this afternoon.
The first victory of the day goes to Draper as he wins the toss. The warm-ups are now underway.
03:44 PM BST
Draper’s Roland Garros record
Jack Draper is yet to win at the French Open, falling at the first hurdle in his two visits to Roland Garros in 2023 and 2024.
The Brit was forced to retire in his opening round match two years ago before being beaten by Dutchman Jesper De Jong in a five-set thriller a year later.
03:41 PM BST
Norrie survives Medvedev comeback to win thriller
Draper’s fellow Brit Cameron Norrie advanced into round two after winning a thrilling five-set contest against world No 11 Daniil Medvedev.
Norrie established a two-set lead but was pegged back by the Russian, who was able to force the decider.
But Norrie then battled back from a break down in the decider to claim victory and beat a top-20 player for the first time since January 2024.
03:37 PM BST
Draper could move up to world No 4
Jack Draper is provisionally ranked fourth in the world following Taylor Fritz’s opening-round defeat against Daniel Altmaier on Monday.
The American was the world No 4 coming into the French Open, but given the ranking points he will now lose from last year’s tournament, his early exit this year means Draper is guaranteed to climb above him.
Depending on world No 6 Novak Djokovic’s run at Roland Garros, Draper could become just the fourth British man to break into the top four.
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Up next if Draper wins
If Draper progresses this afternoon, he will take on the winner of the match between home favourite Gael Monfils and Hugo Dellien of Bolivia in the second round.
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Draper impressing on clay
Draper has enjoyed an impressive clay-court swing, notably reaching the final of the Madrid Open, where he was beaten by Casper Ruud, before being defeated in the quarter-finals of the Italian Open by eventual tournament winner Carlos Alcaraz.
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Draper’s rise to world No 5
Since starting 2024 outside the world’s top 50, Jack Draper has enjoyed a sensational rise to the top of the game in the last 18 months, now the British No. 1 and ranked fifth in the world.
The 23-year-old has claimed three ATP titles in the last year, the first of which came at the Stuttgart Open in June 2024 as he became the new British No 1.
Draper then triumphed at the Vienna Open in October before winning the biggest title of his career in March as he claimed the ATP Masters 1000 of Indian Wells, which is often dubbed the ‘fifth slam’.
Between his first two career wins, Draper became the first British male to reach the semi-finals of the US Open since Andy Murray in 2012.
His run to the final of the Madrid Open at the start of this month saw him break into the world’s top five for the first time in his career.
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Preview: Draper hunts first Roland Garros victory
Good afternoon and welcome to live coverage of the opening round at the French Open as British No 1 Jack Draper looks to win at Roland Garros for the first time in his career. The 23-year-old’s campaign begins against world No 68 Mattia Bellucci of Italy on Court Suzanne-Lenglen.
Draper has fallen at the first hurdle on his two previous visits to Roland Garros, retiring in the opening round in 2023 before losing a five-set thriller to Jesper De Jong a year later. But the Brit comes into this year’s tournament having won the first three ATP titles of his career in the last 12 months and having broken into the world’s top five for the first time.
Draper claimed the biggest title of his career in March as he triumphed at Indian Wells, and he has enjoyed an impressive clay-court swing since then. The 23-year-old was a beaten finalist at the Madrid Open before reaching the last eight of the Italian Open, where he lost to Carlos Alcaraz, who went on to lift the trophy in Rome.
Following Taylor Fritz’s opening-round exit from Roland Garros on Monday, Draper has the opportunity to become just the fourth British man to break into the world’s top four, but he will have his eyes on becoming only the second to win a Grand Slam in the Open Era and the first since Andy Murray lifted the Wimbledon title in 2016.
Progression into the second round will see Draper take on either French favourite Gael Monfils or Hugo Dellien. Looking further ahead, the British No 1 is in the same quarter of the draw as world No 1 Jannik Sinner and the same half of the draw as three-time French Open champion Novak Djokovic.
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