Time was running out for Ymer, who was trying to squeeze every last drop of energy he had left in the tank. He saved four break points but he was only delaying the inevitable as Draper closed out just his second-ever win in five sets with a flying forehand winner.
Draper will now be bidding to record his best-ever result at Wimbledon by getting past the second round for the first time. But he must beat one of his friends and countrymen to get there. Draper recently dethroned Norrie to become the top-ranked Brit and the pair enjoyed an outing on the doubles court together at Queen’s. But they will become rivals at SW19 on Thursday.
“You probably wanted to see Andy out here but you were stuck with me instead,” Draper said at the end of the five-set thriller. Addressing his new British No. 1 status, he added: “Yeah, what an honour. Thinking of the [British] No. 1s that came before, Tim, Andy, Cam, who I might play in the next round. I wouldn’t be here without Andy, he’s an incredible guy off the court, so funny, so kind. What a champion and thank you so much.”
