Sports Mole previews Thursday’s Japan Open first-round match between Jack Draper and Mattia Bellucci, including predictions, form and their head-to-head record.
Returning to ATP Tour singles territory for the first time since an inspirational US Open run, Jack Draper squares up to Italy’s Mattia Bellucci in round one of the Japan Open on Thursday.
The British number one experienced a disappointing Davis Cup campaign after reaching the last four in New York, but he recently advanced in the doubles with Tomas Machac and will be the firm favourite against an opponent on the verge of breaking into the top 100.
Match preview
© Imago
Emulating 2012 Andy Murray by becoming the first British man since the three-time major winner to reach the semi-finals of the US Open, Draper did not collapse under the weight of the occasion against Jannik Sinner, in spite of his distressing vomiting episodes.
The 22-year-old defied his unhappy stomach to valiantly fight on, but the might of the…
