Rafael Nadal sees off cramp-hit Jack Draper in Australian Open

Rafael Nadal sees off cramp-hit Brit Jack Draper in the first round of the Australian Open, winning in four sets – as the Spaniard hailed the 21-year-old’s ‘great future’ in the sport

• Jack Draper’s ability was hailed by Rafael Nadal after their Australian Open clash
• Nadal came through in four sets as Draper struggled with cramp in the match
• The 21-year-old Brit was undone by naivety before his exertions brought pain
• In a bizarre moment, Nadal’s racquet was swiped by a ball boy, stopping play 

Jack Draper made a painful exit from the Australian Open after the exertion of trying to take down Rafael Nadal proved too much.

The 21-year-old from Surrey gave the defending champion all manner of problems, but was held back by apparent cramping in both the third and fourth sets.

Playing the longest and most physical match of his life, he went down 7-5, 2-6, 6-4, 6-1 in three hours and 41 minutes with the contest played in muggy temperatures in the high twenties.

Rafael Nadal is into the second round of the Australian Open after beating Brit Jack Draper

Nadal and Draper speak after their match, which saw the Grand Slam icon challenged at times

On the Rod Laver Arena, Draper did enough to show why he is considered an outstanding prospect against Nadal, who put in an undulating performance with plenty of mistakes made.

Draper briefly threatened to bagel him when he raced ahead in the second set, after which he received his first treatment from the physio for his tightened muscles.

He came back to make the third close after suffering his first bout of problems around the top of the legs and was also a break up early in the fourth.

But ultimately the relentless game of Nadal proved too much and by the end he could barely move.

Nadal proved too much for Draper in a relentless match, which began at the highest quality

Draper struggled with cramp, playing in the longest and most physical match of his life so far

The first set was the highest quality of the match and Draper had his chances at 5-5, but was undone by some naïve shot selection.

On another day, and when he gets more durable, he could have won against the champion, who made 46 unforced errors.

Afterwards Nadal praised Draper, saying: ‘This was a victory I needed, the last two months haven’t been easy.

‘I think it was a very positive start, I played one of the toughest opponents possible in the first round, he is young and has the power, and has a great future in front of him. We are going to see him playing a lot of years here having great results.’ 

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