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 1-1 Gael Monfils
Draper lands a forehand winner as Monfils leads 40-0 and the Frenchman is laughing at how good the British No 1 is playing! He really is playing wonderfully - finding the edges of the court and generating loads of spin behind his forehand.
Draper lands one out, though, as Monfils holds.
FIRST SET! Jack Draper 6-3 Gael Monfils
Quality from Draper to get up to the Monfils drop shot and steer the backhand winner up the line.
Set point: Draper attacks again on the backhand side, and Monfils stays alive by catching the line with the lob.
Draper goes short, and this time Monfils pushes long on the forehand!
Brilliant start from Draper, he takes the set. He’s serving wonderfully and everything is flowing from there.
Jack Draper 5-3 Gael Monfils* - Draper holds!
The nerves may have been jangling as Draper hit a double-fault to bring a second break point for Monfils. But he steadies and finds the first serve to set up the forehand winner.
Draper closes it out from there and moves a game away from the first set.
*Jack Draper 4-3 Gael Monfils
Here we go! It’s starting to get lively as Monfils makes the passing shot down the line on his backhand to get to breakpoint.
He should really be level as Draper left his volley open for the winner, but Draper then shows good hands at the net to save.
*Jack Draper 4-3 Gael Monfils
Monfils has to pause his service motion as the crowd tries to get the 38-year-old back into the match. After taking his time, Monfils holds and pumps his fist as he makes his way back to his seat.
The crowd is sensing that Monfils is going to need all the help he can get to take down Draper here.
Jack Draper 4-2 Gael Monfils*
Monfils is not getting a read on the Draper serve at all. Draper holds to 15 and is able to step in behind the forehand to dictate the points. The exception in that game came when Monfils went big on the forehand return and caught Draper off guard. Apart from that, it’s been comfortable.
Jack Draper 3-1 Gael Monfils*
Draper rolls through his service game. He’s taken to Philippe-Chatrier like he’s played there his whole lift. The French crowd are trying to get Monfils into it.
BREAKING! Ugo Humbert retires!
Jacob Fearnley is through to the third round of the French Open after opponent Ugo Humbert retired injured.
Humbert went over his right ankle as he ran sideways behind the baseline and fell to the clay in pain.
The French 22nd seed immediately held his right calf and told the chair umpire that he required treatment on his calf and his ankle.
With Fearnley up by a set but Humbert leading by a break in the second, the Frenchman went off court for a medical timeout
GAME, SET AND MATCH!
Novak Djokovic is through to the third round! The three-time champion defeats Corentin Moutet 6-3 6-2 7-6.
He will face either Denis Shapovalov or Filip Misolic next.
*Jack Draper 2-1 Gael Monfils - BREAK!
This has been a wonderful start from Draper and he takes an aggressive approach behind that forehand to step in and whip the winner into open court.
Three break points aat 0-40. Draper takes the second. Again, he steps in behind the forehand attack and forces the miss from Monfils. What a start.
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