British No 1 recovers to win in four sets
Cameron Norrie also through as Korda retires
After 53 days without experiencing the tension, physicality and adrenaline of competing at the highest level of his sport, Jack Draper returned to competition at the US Open with a bruising first-round win that illustrated the challenge of entering a grand slam tournament with suboptimal preparation.
Draper, the fifth seed, dragged himself into the second round with a tough 6-4, 7-5, 6-7 (7), 6-2 win against the qualifier Federico Agustin Gómez. However, he also struggled physically as the match extended in the warm conditions and he appeared to throw up during the match.
“I wasn’t too sure if I was going to make it this year, we did a great job with the team since Wimbledon to make it back on court,” Draper said. “It wasn’t my finest performance but credit to my opponent, he made it difficult. I’m looking forward to getting better, hopefully progressing.”
