Jack Draper vs Gael Monfils LIVE: French Open scores and updates from late-night thriller
Draper held off the challenge of Monfils to reach the third round for the first time, winning 6-3 4-6 6-3 7-5
Jack Draper is through to the third round of the French Open after holding off the thrilling challenge of Gael Monfils and silencing the raucous Court Philippe-Chatrier to win a four-set classic.
The 38-year-old Monfils looked to be dragging Draper into a fifth set after breaking to lead 5-2, but the British No 1 dug deep to win the next five games in a row and seal a 6-3 4-6 6-3 7-5 victory at close to midnight local time in Paris. Up next for Draper in Paris? Rising 18-year-old star Joao Fonseca, who is also through to the French Open third round for the first time.
Elsewhere, Jacob Fearnley is through to the third round after opponent Ugo Humbert retired injured. Humbert, the 22nd seed, was hurt after falling over his ankle behind the baseline and Fearnley will play Cameron Norrie in an all-British third round clash.
Before then, British No 1 Katie Boulter was demolished by Madison Keys 6-1 6-3 on Court Philippe-Chatrier. Boulter also won her first main draw match at Roland Garros on Tuesday but Keys, the Australian Open champion, was a step up in class.
Follow live scores from the French Open below
*Jack Draper 6-3 4-6 6-3 4-5 Gael Monfils - Draper breaks!
Monfils painted the lines with winners on the first two points, then makes two errors.
On 30-30, Monfils nets! Draper gets one more break point to stay alive in this set.
BRILLIANT DEFENCE FROM DRAPER! And on the 11th break point of the set, Draper takes the most important one to stay alive.
Back on serve.
Jack Draper 6-3 4-6 6-3 3-5 Gael Monfils*
Monfils misses a forehand as there is a scream from the crowd. It’s getting wild in Chatrier. Draper holds and it’s over to Monfils to serve us into a fifth.
*Jack Draper 6-3 4-6 6-3 2-5 Gael Monfils - Monfils holds!
Incredible. Monfils saves break point after break point. This looks to be going the distance, late into the night.
*Jack Draper 6-3 4-6 6-3 2-4 Gael Monfils
What a game this is! Draper is adding to it, and he shows brilliant foot speed to race up to a short ball from Monfils and push his forehand on the line.
Another break point Draper - but Monfils saves again! It’s cat and mouse at the net but Monfils thunders the shot at Draper and he can’t react.
*Jack Draper 6-3 4-6 6-3 2-4 Gael Monfils
Monfils can’t close out the hold, instead Draper gets another chance. Draper races to reach a forehand on the run and loops an arching winner on to the back back line.
Monfils saves with the double net-cord! The backhand caught the tape, bounced up, hit the tape again and fell onto Draper’s side. Incredible scenes! Deuce again.
*Jack Draper 6-3 4-6 6-3 2-4 Gael Monfils
But Draper gets an immediate chance to break back! He digs out a wonderful backhand pass on the slide. 15-40.
Monfils fires the ace! One saved. And there goes the second. Monfils finds the big serve and follows it up with the forehand winner.
Deuce. Double fault Monfils! Draper has to take this now. Monfils thunders an outrageous forehand winner, inside out and down the line!
Jack Draper 6-3 4-6 6-3 2-4 Gael Monfils* - Monfils breaks
Chatrier is rocking again. Draper had chances in the previous games but lets Monfils back into it. A little bit of inexperience showing there from the fifth seed?
Jack Draper 6-3 4-6 6-3 2-4 Gael Monfils* - Monfils breaks
Monfils is still pulling tricks out of his magic box. He races to flick a volley over the net after Draper caught the tape, although Draper puts it down the line. Monfils then crushes a huge forehand winner to get to 30-30.
Draper then puts a rather hesitant drop shot into the net. It’s deuce.
Now there’s a break point! Monfils swipes at a short backhand and Draper can’t pick up the forehand.
DOUBLE FAULT FROM DRAPER!
Monfils hauls himself in front! HOW!
*Jack Draper 6-3 4-6 6-3 2-3 Gael Monfils
Trouble for Monfils as he commits to double faults in one game and Draper gets to deuce on the Frenchman’s serve.
Draper defends the baseline and gets his reward as Monfils nets, but Draper then pushes wide on the forehand!
It brings an anguished reaction from Draper as he holds his head between his hands.
Draper pushes another forehand long on the run and Monfils somehow stays ahead in the fourth!
Jack Draper 6-3 4-6 6-3 2-2 Gael Monfils*
So good from Draper, who is pulling Monfils around on a string behind his serve. This time he switches up and lands a delicious drop shot, which Monfils applauds.
Monfils then swats at the return. Love-hold for Draper. Monfils is having to put everything into the service games.
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