Saturday, March 29, 2025
Draper reaches Italian Open quarter-final following a dramatic three-set comeback over France’s Corentin Moutet in Rome. After a shaky start and a disastrous service game in the second set, the British No. 1 rallied with grit and mental fortitude to win 1-6, 6-4, 6-3 and continue his breakthrough season on clay.
Draper’s victory marks his second consecutive ATP Masters 1000 quarter-final on clay and his third overall in the 2025 season, reinforcing his top-five status in global rankings.
The match began ominously for Draper, who was dismantled by Moutet’s crafty shot-making and unpredictable left-handed game in the first set. Moutet exposed Draper’s defensive return position with well-timed serve-and-volley plays and clever variations in spin and pace. Draper, rattled and tentative, offered little resistance as the Frenchman took the set 6-1.
Between sets, Draper delivered a visible pep talk to himself. It worked. With renewed energy and aggression, the Briton held his opening service games in the second set and stepped further up the court to counter Moutet’s drop shots and baseline craft.
The key moment arrived at 3-3 in the second set. Draper retrieved yet another drop shot, and Moutet missed the follow-up. A video review and extended debate followed as Moutet disputed the point with umpire Nico Helwerth. The delay only seemed to energize Draper, who held serve and broke soon after for a 5-3 lead.
Yet just as momentum was shifting, Draper faltered with a catastrophic service game to hand Moutet a break back. But the Brit quickly refocused, breaking again to take the set and level the match.
Moutet refused to fold, keeping up his relentless pressure in the final set with accurate drop shots and deceptive court play. But Draper had now found his groove, dominating on serve and pushing forward with confidence. His consistency and aggression eventually broke down Moutet’s resistance, securing the crucial final break and the match.
The win is another step forward as Draper reaches Italian Open quarter-finals for the first time. It follows his recent run to the Madrid Open final and adds another milestone to his rapid clay-court development.
