DRAPER ON ANDY ROUTE TO GLORY

Jack's slow progress for a Major is 'just like Murray'

- BY NEIL MCLEMAN

WHEN British No.1 Jack Draper said au revoir to the French Open after his fourth-round defeat, there was a real feeling of deja vu.

The big left-hander had been compared with Rafa Nadal during the claycourt Grand Slam because of his fearsome forehand and physical presence.

But the Spanish superstar was a freak of nature who won on his Roland Garros debut as a teenager.

Draper's slower progress towards a first Major title is more like a tennis legend closer to home - Andy Murray.

His press conference following his loss to the inspired Alexander Bublik had the same post-mortem feel of Murray's Grand Slam exits.

The Scot was then trying to catch and beat Roger Federer, Nadal and Novak Djokovic.

Now Englishman Draper is striving to close the gap on Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, the current top two and the winners of the last five Majors.

"I still think I'm a long way behind those boys," he admitted.