- Jack Draper beat American Marcus Giron in five sets at the Australian Open
- The Briton won 6-4 3-6 4-6 6-0 6-2 in the first round in Melbourne
- Draper was sick in a courtside bin straight after the match
Jack Draper put in a huge physical effort to win his first ever five set match – and promptly ran off court to be sick in a courtside bin after clinching match point.
The 21 year-old southpaw overcame American Marcos Giron 6-4 3-6 4-6 6-0 6-2 in three hours twenty minutes after battling away in 30 degree temperatures at Melbourne Park.
He is into the second round and was awaiting the winner of Frenchman Gregoiere Barrere and American Tommy Paul.
Draper could hardly wait for the handshake art the net after he had reeled off the last four games while clearly in discomfort against a highly mobile baseline opponent who had caused him plenty of problems along the way.
He needed to summon the physio after the second set and had his blood pressure checked, and then double faulted to be broken in the third after the resumption.
Jack Draper put in a huge physical effort to beat Marcos Giron 6-4 3-6 4-6 6-0 6-2
The Briton then was sick in a courtside bin after the physical exertion took its toll on him
Draper looked in clear discomfort as the match ended and he had to sit down to recover
Urged on by his coaching team to keep the points short, he roared back in the fourth and got to 2-0 before being hauled back again.
A strapping 6’ 5”, this was not an outstanding serving display and he was slightly fortunate that Giron lost his head somewhat in the fourth, referencing the treatment Draper had earlier received.
The GB player has had questions around his stamina before, but on this occasion he answered them in extremely challenging conditions.
Earlier Cam Norrie had consigned any worries about his wrist to history as he comfortably came past Peru’s Juan Pablo Virallas 6-4 6-4 6-2 to make the second round.
Draper was attended to by medics on court as he was sick after his marathon match ended
Draper had to summon the physio after the second set and had his blood pressure checked
The number 19 seed said later that he was grateful for a Tuesday start to allow himself to prepare properly after withdrawing last week from Auckland with a sore left wrist.
He will now face Italian qualifier Giulio Zeppieri, who had upset Serbian Dusan Lajovic. These warm conditions with heavy balls should suit Norrie as he aims for the second week.