BRITAIN’S Cameron Norrie and Jack Draper were both knocked out of the first round of the Japan Open.
British number one and world number 18 Cameron Norrie was beaten 6-4, 6-3 by American and defending champion Taylor Fritz in Tokyo. This was Norrie’s fourth loss in a row.
Jack Draper lost a gruelling three-hour match 4-6, 7-6, 7-4, 7-1 to Australian Alex de Minaur, despite leading by a set and a break.
Draper had the chance to serve for the match, but the Aussie world number 13 came through at the death to clinch win a hotly contested match.
The British number 4 had taken the first set last time the pair met at Wimbledon in 2022, and history repeated itself as the Brit took the lead early on once again.
De Minaur will face Diego Schwartzman in the next round after the Schwartzman beat Francisco Cerundolo 6-4, 6-1.
This was the first ATP Tour event for British number four Draper since he made the last 16 of the US Open in August.
The men’s singles final and doubles final with be played on the 22nd of October.
