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 1-1 Gael Monfils*
Draper replies with a quick service hold, just what was needed after the 10-minute game for Monfils.
*Jack Draper 6-3 4-6 6-3 0-1 Gael Monfils
Monfils holds! He saves four break points and gets over the line but putting over a flying volley and then trashing an ace down the middle. Incredible from the Frenchman!
Jack Draper 6-3 4-6 6-3 0-0 Gael Monfils*
Draper sets up a third break point opportunity with a running forehand down the line but Monfils saves with an ace.
This is the longest game of the match and Draper keeps pushing. Monfils is puffing heavily, as Draper runs forward and finishes with the forehand winner.
Monfils saves another! He is bending over behind the baseline but is coming up with the big serves! 10 minutes and counting...
Jack Draper 6-3 4-6 6-3 0-0 Gael Monfils*
Draper produces a wicked angled backhand past Monfils and onto the line to get to 30-30. Then Monfils coughs up a double-fault, so Draper gets a break point chance.
Monfils goes for the serve and volley to save but then nets on the chopped forehand. Another break point: it’s a chance for Draper, but he pushes the forehand wide of the tramlines.
THIRD SET! Jack Draper 6-3 4-6 6-3 Gael Monfils*
Draper plucks a volley out from the sky and puts away the forehand winner to move to 30-0. Monfils is chuckling to his box.
Monfils looks to come roaring back as he crushes a return, but then nets and is left with a rueful look.
Set point Draper. He pushes Monfils deep to his forehand side and then pops up a soft volley into the open court.
*Jack Draper 6-3 4-6 5-3 Gael Monfils
Monfils is puffing out his cheeks and is looking tired as Draper drags him to deuce. Monfils, though, finds a big serve out wide and forces Draper to serve it out. The Frenchman shakes his head and needs a big few points now.
Over to Draper.
*Jack Draper 6-3 4-6 4-2 Gael Monfils - Draper breaks!
The loosest of games from Monfils. Draper breaks back to love as Monfils misses on the backhand side. Just like that Draper edges ahead again. Monfils looked bothered by some crowd noise between serves.
Jack Draper 6-3 4-6 3-2 Gael Monfils* - Monfils breaks
The last thing Draper wants to do is give Monfils more encouragement but he loses control of a forehand on 30-30 and it hands Monfils a chance to break.
Monfils defends his backhand corner, it sits up for Draper but he misses another forehand long!
Monfils breaks back and this set just got a little more tricky for Draper.
*Jack Draper 6-3 4-6 3-1 Gael Monfils
The magic moments continue from Monfils, reaching low to his backhand side to flick a volley over Draper and up the line.
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