Jack Draper was looking to carry his clay court form through to the Italian Open.
The British number one has improved significantly in 2025, breaking into the ATP top five for the first time.
He’s had particular success at the Masters 1000 level, winning his first title in March, when Draper beat Holger Rune in the Indian Wells final.
Rediscovering that form in Spain, Draper narrowly came up short against Casper Ruud in the final of the Madrid Open, 5-7, 6-3, 4-6.
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Bouncing back from a tough three-set defeat, the 23-year-old was clinical in his opening match at the Italian Open, taking down home favorite Luciano Darderi, 6-1, 6-4.
Speaking after the match, Draper gave his verdict on the crowd at Grand Stand Arena.
Jack Draper says he has experienced crowds ‘ten times crazier’ than those at the Italian Open
After beating Darderi, 6-1, 6-4 in the second round of the Italian Open, Draper shared his thoughts on the atmosphere in Rome.
“It’s what I play for,” he said.
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“Playing in front of lots of people, whether they are with me or against me.
“I experienced it in Australia this year playing against [Thanasi] Kokkinakis and [Aleksandar] Vukic, that was ten times crazier than this.
“More than anything, it was just mentally tough after the last couple of weeks coming out here again and having to face all of that and staying cool.
“I am proud of myself. I did a good job.”
Draper beat Kokkinakis in front of a partisan Australian Open crowd in Melbourne earlier this year.
Having been booed during the match, Draper came through to win a five-set thriller and said how ‘happy’ he was with the crowd during his on-court interview.
“This is what I have played for since I was a young guy,” he said.
“You guys are obviously all with Thanasi, but I had a little fun back. It was so good to be out here, really happy with the amount of support we get every year at these big tournaments. It’s unbelievable.”
His win over Darderi in Rome was a lot more straightforward, although Draper has admitted his level dipped after winning the first set.
“I think my concentration slipped a little bit. I started getting a little bit flat,” said Draper.
“I started really well, I was coming forward well, then in the second set, a couple of missed returns, a couple of balls here and there which were a bit sloppy, and then it was a dog fight.
“The crowd started getting up with him, and it became a bit tight in the end there, but I think I did a good job of staying calm and being able to come through.”
Having booked his place in the third round, Draper is determined not to let his energy levels dip again.
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“I think in the first set I was moving up the court and being the aggressive one, and then in the second set I found my energy dipped a bit and he was finding my backhand a bit more,” he said.
“Then it was harder for me to be on the front foot and look for the forehand, and the conditions got a bit cooler. I did well in the end. Getting that extra ball and making him play.
“I have just got to keep my energy up.”
The world number five will return to the court to take on Czech star Vit Kopriva on Sunday, May 11.
Who is Jack Draper’s third round opponent, Vit Kopriva?
Next up for Draper is a tough test against 27-year-old Kopriva, who has already won four matches this week in Rome.
- (Q) 1R – Vit Kopriva beat Dalibor Srvcina, 6-2, 5-7, 6-2
- (Q) 2R – Vit Kopriva beat Nishesh Basavareddy, 6-4, 6-2
- 1R – Vit Kopriva beat Quentin Halys, 6-4, 6-3
- 2R – Vit Kopriva beat Sebastian Baez, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4
Kopriva’s win over clay specialist Sebastian Baez was undoubtedly the best of the bunch, as he fought back from a set down to take down the Argentine in round two.
Photo by Antonietta Baldassarre/Insidefoto/LightRocket via Getty Images
The world number 92 had won just two tour-level matches all year prior to the Italian Open, when he advanced to the quarterfinals in Marrakech.
He has, however, enjoyed plenty of success on the Challenger Tour, reaching two finals, coming away with the title in Naples recently.
Kopriva has played Draper once before, in Munich last year, losing in three sets, 1-6, 7-5, 4-6.
Enjoying his best ever Masters 1000 tournament, Kopriva will be as confident as ever, heading into his second career meeting with the British star.
Draper and Kopriva will face off for a place in the fourth round of the Italian Open on Sunday, May 11.