Jack Draper withdraws from Mexican Open semi-final with illness
The 22-year-old British No 3 battled back from a set down to take the second 6-2 before illness struck and forced him off when trailing 4-0 in the decider; watch over 80 tournaments a year, including the US Open, exclusively live on Sky Sports Tennis
Saturday 2 March 2024 09:49, UK
Jack Draper retired with an undisclosed illness in the third set of his semi-final against Australian Alex de Minaur at the Mexican Open in Acapulco.
Draper left the court when 4-0 down in the final set after he'd staged a strong comeback from a set down to the defending champion.
The Australian third seed started strongly, taking the opener 6-3 - the first set Draper had dropped in the tournament. But the British No 3 staged a valiant comeback, winning the second set 6-2 with some stunning returns.
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Draper's illness became an issue towards the end of the second set, with the 22-year-old receiving treatment from the physiotherapist and tournament doctor.
Things only got worse in the third set as De Minaur won four consecutive games before Draper retired from the match.
De Minaur said after the match that he wishes Draper a "speedy recovery".
"He's a hell of a player, a hell of a talent and I hope it's nothing too serious," he said.
He will play Norwegian Casper Ruud in the final after he defeated Denmark's Holger Rune 3-6 6-3 6-4 in the other semi-final.
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