Jack Draper into UTS London semi-finals after Monfils injury

Jack Draper, The Power, is through to the semi-finals of the UTS Grand Final in London, beating Gael Monfils with a clean sweep due to the Frenchman’s retirement.

The score was officially 10-0, 10-0, 10-0, but The Power was leading 14-13, 20-9, 9-3 when La Monf had to pull out.

Draper knew that if he won the match, he would top the group, having won in his first-ever appearance at UTS by defeating Holger Rune on Friday night, and going into Day Two on the top of the Pool B table.

But La Monf also won his opening match, beating Alexander Bublik, “The Bublik Enemy”, by three quarters to one.

And the first quarter was a very close one, with The Power making smart use of his bonus cards and coming from behind to take it 14-13 – leaping around on the deciding point in preparation to receive the Monfils serve.

“Gael is obviously a real showman, great at this format, just amazing to be on court with someone like him,” Draper said in the break.

Monfils injures ankle

Draper dominated the second quarter, rocketing to a 10-0 lead, leaving La Monf looking bewilderedly at his racquet.

“He’s breathing hard, he’s feeling it,” said Draper’s coach James Trotman of Monfils – and The Power hit a gorgeous cross-court forehand winner to take the second quarter 20-9.

The drama came when Monfils took a nasty fall mid-way through the third quarter, catching his right foot in the surface and turning his ankle.

And with the score at 6-2 it seemed as if Monfils was going to the net – but instead he just exchanged some quiet words with Draper.

Then with The Power at a 9-3 lead, with no injury time-outs in the competition, La Monf spoke to tournament officials – including Jeremy Chardy – and the umpire, asking for ankle strapping. With his requests being denied, there was great consternation on court and off before Monfils officially retired from the match.

It was an unpleasant coincidence; in the pair’s previous meeting, in Canada in 2022, Draper also won by walkover after Monfils retired through injury.

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