Jack Draper advanced to the second round of the Qatar Open with a convincing 6-2, 7-6 (7-4) win over Alexei Popyrin.

The eighth seed, competing for the first time since retiring injured against Carlos Alcaraz at the Australian Open in January, dominated the opening set in just 27 minutes. Popyrin struggled to handle Draper's powerful first serves.

The second set proved tougher, with Popyrin saving a break point to hold serve. However, Draper clinched the tie-break, securing his spot in the last 16 where he will face Australian qualifier Christopher O'Connell.

Earlier, world number one Carlos Alcaraz also advanced with a 6-4, 6-4 victory over Marin Cilic. The former US Open champion, making his return after a knee injury kept him out since November, failed to capitalize on three break points late in the second set, which could have given him a 5-3 lead. 

Alcaraz broke Cilic's serve and booked his place in the next round, where he will face either Zhang Zhizhen or Luca Nardi.

Source: BBC

BDST: 1228 HRS, FEB 18, 2025
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