Draper battles by local star Monfils

JACK DRAPER shone under the night sky in Paris as he battled past local favourite Gael Monfils to reach the third round of the French Open.

- By ANDY SIMS

Draper, the British number one, survived being tied up in knots at times by the tricky veteran and emerged with a 4-6 6-3 7-5 victory on Court Phillippe-Chatrier.

The 22-year-old from London will face teenage Brazilian Joao Fonseca on Saturday for a place in round four.

With Cameron Norrie and Jacob Fearnley also through, Britain has three men in the third round for the first time since 1968.

“First off, I have to acknowledge Gael,” said Draper. “It’s my first time on this court. What a battle against someone I admire. He is a joker, a magician, he does everything.

“Huge respect to him. I hope he is able to play here one more time again in the future.