Draper Credits Coach Murray with Eastbourne Comeback Win

Richard Pagliaro | Monday, June 22, 2026
Photo credit: Tony Chang/Chang Photography

Back on home soil, Jack Draper returned to his winning ways.

Draper faced only one break point in a 6-4, 7-6(5) victory over American Marcos Giron in his Eastbourne Open opener today.

Former world No. 4 Draper drilled six aces against no double faults, won 12 of 17 second-serve points and cracked 30 winners, nearly doubling Giron’s 16 winners.

It was Draper’s first Tour-level victory since he edged Grand Slam king Novak Djokovic 4-6, 6-4, 7-6(5) in an Indian Wells thriller in March.

Now, ranked No. 160 after months of injury-induced inactivity, Draper credited coach and former world No. 1 Andy Murray with inspiring his winning ugly.

“I haven’t called him ‘Sir’ yet,” Draper said. That’s not going to happen. I’m really grateful to Andy that he’s chosen to help me and wants to help me.

“Today was a performance a bit like what he used to do—winning ugly.”

Draper will face 23-year-old British compatriot Jack Pinnington Jones for a quarterfinal spot. Wild card Pinnington Jones defeated Marco Trungelliti 5-7, 6-3, 7-5.