European Open: Dan Evans through as Jack Draper demolishes Jenson Brooksby to book Hubert Hurkacz meeting in Antwerp
/dnl.eurosport.com/sd/img/placeholder/eurosport_logo_1x1.png){kind=logo}
Published 17/10/2022 at 18:22 GMT
Dan Evans recorded a 6-3 6-4 victory to beat Tallon Griekspoor in Antwerp, where the Briton could face Felix Auger-Aliassime later the tournament. Jack Draper, meanwhile, will play top seed Hubert Hurkacz in the last 16 of the European Open after enjoying his second straight-sets win of the year over Jenson Brooksby. Draper is also eyeing a spot in the year-end NextGen ATP Finals.
Murray - 'I do not deserve' Federer-style farewell as he dismisses own retirement thoughts
Dan Evans and Jack Draper have both comfortably advanced to the last 16 of the European Open in Antwerp.
British No. 2 Evans, seeded No. 5 for the ATP 250 event, eased past Tallon Griekspoor to win his opening match in Belgium.
Evans, who also beat Griekspoor in the Davis Cup last month, needed just the one break in both sets to record a 6-3 6-4 victory against the Dutch world No. 68.
He goes on to face Constant Lestienne or Jesper de Jong, with the pair in last-32 action on Tuesday.
Evans could face No. 2 seed Felix Auger-Aliassime in the quarters. The Canadian was handed a first-round bye and will face either Manuel Guinard or Arthur Rinderknech in the last 16.
Meanwhile, Draper was in Center Court action earlier on Monday, where he dismantled Jenson Brooksby 6-1 6-2.
Draper is ranked seven places below the world No. 41, but was a class apart in their second meeting of 2022, having also beaten the American 6-2 6-2 at Eastbourne.
A victory in one hour and one minute saw Draper break Brooksby four times without reply.
The 20-year-old faces top seed Hubert Hurkacz next for a place in the quarter-finals.
“On my service games I was hitting my spots really well,” Draper said afterwards.
“I wasn’t missing many returns as well. Jenson is someone who competes really well, so I felt that it was important to get on the front foot and not let him play his game because he is so awkward. I am glad with the way I played.”
Draper is looking to seal a spot in the year-end NextGen ATP Finals, and he is currently placed fifth in the race to feature in the eight-player, 21-or-under event in Milan. Only Lorenzo Musetti and Holger Rune have qualified already.
Andy Murray, winner of the European Open in 2019, was a late withdrawal as he attempts to preserve his fitness ahead of tournaments in Basel and Paris.
Scan me
Related Topics
Share this article
/images.sports.gracenote.com/images/lib/basic/geo/country/flag/large/4058.png)
/images.sports.gracenote.com/images/lib/basic/geo/country/flag/large/2201.png)