Jack Draper steps into the Wimbledon void as Andy Murray departs centre stage

Below the roof on Centre Court docket, the symbolism felt a bit of too apparent. As Andy Murray departed the stage, pressured to withdraw on the morning of his closing Wimbledon singles match, up stepped Jack Draper, the brand new British No 1. And whereas a scrappy, typically unconvincing five-set win over the qualifier Elias Ymer hardly felt just like the triumphant begin of a brand new period for British tennis at Wimbledon, it was harking back to one thing else. The Centre Court docket crowd had come for Murray – Draper mentioned so himself – however nonetheless noticed a show of coronary heart and grit from the 22-year-old. As Murray proved numerous instances throughout his golden years, success at Wimbledon is constructed on such qualities.

It could have been a becoming tribute to his idol, however as Draper thumped a closing serve out extensive on match level and smacked a ball excessive into the rafters on Centre Court docket, this was a victory that was met with extra reduction and frustration than outright celebration. Clearly, a fifth-set decider was not the plan for the twenty ninth seed Draper, anticipated to dispatch an opponent ranked exterior the world’s high 200 who had solely performed two tour-level matches this yr. He will likely be aiming larger after returning to the second spherical, towards the previous British No 1 and Wimbledon semi-finalist Cameron Norrie.

However it’s not straightforward to observe the departure of Britain’s two-time champion and actually step into the void left by a legend of the game. “I wouldn’t be right here with out Andy,” Draper mentioned on Centre Court docket. “Such a man off the courtroom, so real, so type, what a champion and what a competitor.” But right here he was, entering into these sneakers. In what was a big second in his younger profession, confronted with elevated expectations and an opponent with nothing to lose, Draper emerged with a battling win to construct on into the fortnight.

Draper’s recreation shouldn’t be the completed product however it’s constructed behind a giant serve and a strong left-handed forehand, all modelled to be aggressive. He’s additionally a showman, a participant assured and positive of his skills. He completed with over 54 winners and a nice assortment of shot-making, with forehands struck crisply, low balls flicked down the road, and improvised volleys up excessive. However the unforced errors additionally adopted Draper all through, with 40 in all, the backhand a repeating fault. This was removed from the right displaying however Draper all the time managed to reply.

Dealing with a troublesome night because the roof was closed on Centre Court docket, Draper brushed apart his wobbles and confirmed authority within the decider to lastly break Ymer’s spirit.  He discovered improved depth, pushing for the break as he pressured Ymer into awkward positions in his backhand nook, flashing a winner down the road to drive three break factors. As Ymer double-faulted to present Draper the break, it was the daylight he required to lastly draw back. Naturally, he’ll imagine there’s extra to return.

Expectations, in spite of everything, are excessive, however whereas the heavy favorite towards the world No 205 Ymer, any type of win would have sufficed for Draper. Final yr, the Briton watched most of Wimbledon from his couch after damage dominated him out, however he has appeared to depart these health points behind him. Few gamers within the draw have loved such an encouraging run into Wimbledon, as Draper displayed the enhancements he has made to his recreation by securing his first ATP Tour title on the grass in Stuttgart, adopted by a career-best win over Carlos Alcaraz at Queen’s. As he arrived at Wimbledon as Britain’s highest seed, this felt just like the yr the place Draper was able to compete.

However, as Ymer proved within the opening set and all through, qualifiers could be harmful. In SW19, the 28-year-old received three matches in a row to succeed in the principle draw, the place he carried on that type to take the opening set. It was an unlikely begin, however Draper discovered the gang was behind him. As he levelled the match at a set all, he appeared to have weathered the storm as he started to strike his forehand with extra confidence. Ymer, nonetheless, by no means allowed Draper to cruise whilst he clinched the third. Ymer was fast to select up on any Draper lapses and served impressively to take the fourth.

Draper smashed up his racket after being taken to a decider however he steadied and managed to assault Ymer with renewed conviction within the fifth. Lastly, after three hours and 17 minutes of toil, he earns the prospect to go once more.