GENERATION GAME

Draper poised to launch a rivalry for the ages with teenage star Fonseca

- Neil McLeman

JACK DRAPER is ready for a rivalry for the ages with the Brazilian teenage sensation backed by Rafa Nadal to be the next superstar.

But John McEnroe claimed the British No.1 would win “multiple Majors” after he reached the French Open third round for the first time.

World No.5 Draper saw off French veteran Gael Monfils in a late-night Thursday thriller.

Now he faces Joao Fonseca, the 18-year-old who has shot to tennis fame since winning the NextGen title in December and beating ninth seed Andrey Rublev on his Grand Slam debut in Australia a month later.

Word is spreading and there have been massive queues snaking around Roland Garros to see the big-hitting Fonseca in his first two matches here.

Nadal said: “He’s started his career doing very, very well. He has a great future.”

Draper defeated world No.65 Fonseca in their only previous meeting at Indian Wells on his way to the title in California.

And the 23-year-old Londoner said: “We will be seeing him a lot at the back ends of draws and right at the top of the game.