Monte-Carlo Masters: Jack Draper suffers three-set last-16 defeat to Alejandro Davidovich Fokina
British No 1 Jack Draper exits Monte-Carlo Masters after three-set defeat; British No 1 loses 6-3 6-7 (8-6) 6-4 to Alejandro Davidovich Fokina; watch the Monte-Carlo Masters - the first of three ATP Masters 1000 events of the clay-court season - live on Sky Sports Tennis
Thursday 10 April 2025 18:04, UK
Jack Draper's run at the Monte-Carlo Masters ended before the quarter-final stage with a gruelling three-set defeat to Spain's Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.
Fifth seed Draper, who dispatched Marcos Giron in a comfortable 6-1 6-1 victory on Tuesday, struggled with his serve in the Principality, double-faulting 10 times during the 6-3 6-7 (6-8) 6-4 loss.
The Briton was playing catch-up early in the first set after falling 2-0 down, only to level at 2-2 with two flawless games. However, he dropped his serve in the eighth game and Davidovich Fokina converted immediately to seal the set 6-3.
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The second set followed a similar pattern with the 23-year-old falling behind 3-1, but he clawed his way back level with a break of serve.
Davidovich Fokina took the set to a tie-break and had a match point when 6-5 before Draper held his nerve to take the next three points and level the tie.
The final set saw the Spaniard take control once more as he moved 3-1 clear, with Draper breaking serve in the fifth game to restore parity.
The end came as Draper served at 4-5, the 10th and final double fault consigning him to defeat.
With Draper and Czech Tomas Machac both out of singles action in Monte-Carlo, the pair later withdrew from their last-16 doubles match as opponents Manuel Guinard and Romain Arneodo received a walkover.
Alcaraz through to last eight in straight sets
Later in the day, No 2 seed Carlos Alcaraz beat Daniel Altmaier 6-3 6-1 to book a match against France's Arthur Fils.
The Spaniard bounced back after a shaky display against Francisco Cerundolo on Wednesday where he dropped the opening set before hitting back to win.
'I really had to battle'
Alcaraz told Sky Sports Tennis: "It was difficult. Daniel is playing great, he's a really solid clay player with a really difficult game to play [against] on clay - a lot of top-spin shots and really quick physically.
"The result doesn't show how difficult it was, I really had to battle.
"At the beginning of the first set I was really happy to break before the new balls. It was great having the first set because in the second set I could be more myself, play more aggressively and I took my chances."
What is the schedule for the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters?
Main draw: Sunday April 6-Sunday April 13
Doubles final: Sunday April 13 (12pm)
Singles final: Sunday April 13 (3pm)
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