Draper smacked eight aces against Alcaraz, who has arguably the best return game on the ATP Tour, and produced some highlight-reel strokeplay. Nothing was more impressive than the way he resisted a late Alcaraz surge in the seventh game of the second set, fending off the only break point he faced in the match with a magical half-volley onto the sideline.
A week ago, Draper had never won an ATP title nor defeated a reigning major champion. Now he has ticked off both boxes, just in time for Wimbledon. And the result has been a new sense of freedom. On Thursday, he claimed his first break of the Alcaraz serve by belting a backhand return up the line.
“When I kept losing 7-6 in the third, I felt like I had a little bit of a mental block, as well,” said Draper. “Then I think last week, getting over the line, I feel really calm [coming back to London]. I think it’s because I proved to myself I really do belong at this level and I can get through those tough moments against really good players like Berrettini or Tiafoe [whom he beat in Stuttgart], today Alcaraz.
“I’m building confidence the whole time. It’s helping me to feel like I belong. I suppose it’s just a process of, you know, confidence takes time, belief takes time, and I have had to be very patient.”