In a grueling match at the Australian Open, Britain's Jack Draper secured his first five-set victory against American Marcos Giron, enduring temperatures above 30°C. Draper faced medical attention and had his blood pressure checked during the match.
After a challenging second and third set, Draper mounted a remarkable comeback, winning eight consecutive games to triumph 6-4, 3-6, 4-6, 6-0, 6-2. Despite the physical toll, he displayed resilience and strategic play, utilizing a variety of shots. The victory was marked by a dramatic scene as Draper, immediately after winning, rushed to the side of the court to vomit.
Cameron Norrie, also representing Britain, overcame concerns about a wrist issue to defeat Juan Pablo Varillas 6-4, 6-4, 6-2. Norrie's opponent struggled with a low first-serve percentage, allowing Norrie to secure breaks and dominate the match.
Norrie, Britain's top-ranked singles player, faces Italian qualifier Giulio Zeppieri in the next round. Norrie expressed satisfaction with his performance, emphasizing his effectiveness in crucial moments.
Katie Boulter, the British number one, advanced to the second round with a hard-fought victory over China's Yuan Yue, winning 7-5, 7-6 (7-1). Boulter faced challenges in the tight first set but demonstrated resilience and dominance in the tie-break of the second set.
Her next opponent will be either China's Zheng Qinwen or American Ashlyn Krueger. The potential for a third-round meeting with fellow Briton Emma Raducanu adds anticipation to Boulter's Australian Open campaign.
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