Jack Draper celebrated his first Wimbledon match as Britain’s men’s number one by evoking memories of Andy Murray with a five-set victory under the floodlights of Centre Court.
Draper, seeded 28th, started tentatively against Swedish qualifier Elias Ymer – losing the set in the fourth set – before eventually winning 3-6 6-3 6-3 4-6 6-3.
The 22-year-old replaced Murray on the iconic show court in the evening after the former world number one withdrew earlier on Tuesday due to injury.
Draper, who was injured himself last year and returned to Wimbledon, was a welcome boost for home fans who were disappointed by Murray’s setback.
In the second round he will face Cameron Norrie, the player he ousted as Britain’s best man last month.
Norrie, who reached the semi-finals of Wimbledon in 2022, defeated Argentina’s Facundo Diaz Acosta 7-5 7-5 6-3 shortly before Draper’s victory.
The duo were among 11 Britons playing on the second day of the 2024 championships.
The other notable home winner was British number 13 Jacob Fearnley, who met seven-time champion Novak Djokovic in the second round.
The 22-year-old Scot, playing his first Grand Slam match, won 6-4 7-6 (14-12) against Spanish qualifier Alejandro Moro Canas.
But there were also defeats for last year’s boys’ champion Henry Searle, Billy Harris, Paul Jubb and Jan Choinski.
More to follow.
