A few weeks ago, Jack Draper had never even won a match at Roland Garros.
Now, he’s carving his path through the draw like a seasoned clay-court pro.
On a steamy afternoon in Paris, Draper delivered one of his most polished Grand Slam performances yet—dispatching rising star Joao Fonseca 6-2, 6-4, 6-2 to reach the last 16 of the French Open for the first time in his career.
A Glimpse of the Future, But Not Quite Yet
There’s every chance Draper versus Fonseca could become a real rivalry in years to come.
But on this occasion, it wasn’t even close.
At 23, Draper simply had too much experience, composure, and tactical maturity for the 18-year-old from Rio de Janeiro.
“Joao’s got the attention of everyone,” Draper said after the match.
“He’s going to be right at the top of the game, no doubt. But today, it was just a bit of experience from me.”
Quiet Conditions, Clear Advantage
Draper may have also benefitted from a late change in the venue.
Originally scheduled to play on the lively Court Simone Mathieu—where the Brazilian fans were expected to bring the noise—Draper’s match was moved to the more subdued Suzanne Lenglen due to French No.1 Arthur Fils pulling out with injury.
The shift led to a calmer, less hostile atmosphere, which suited the Brit just fine.
Breaking Early, Taking Control
From the first few games, Draper came out with intent.
He broke Fonseca early, immediately seizing control.
The Brazilian youngster showed his raw talent at times but made costly decisions—like taking aggressive half-volleys when the safer route was to rally and reset.
Draper, on the other hand, played with clarity and control, extracting any venom before Fonseca could get into a rhythm.
Outplaying the Forehand, Outsmarting the Strategy
Rather than avoiding Fonseca’s booming forehand—his most dangerous weapon—Draper targeted it head-on.
He forced the teenager to defend from a side he normally uses to attack, turning one of Fonseca’s biggest strengths into a weakness.
Smart, bold, and proactive—Draper showed why he’s no longer just a promising talent, but a serious contender.
Drop Shot Masterclass in the Heat
Playing under 28-degree heat, Draper’s game came alive.
His serve zipped, his forehand popped, and he repeatedly turned to a surprise weapon: the drop shot.
He pulled off 15 of them across the three sets—more than he’d hit in the previous eight sets combined at the tournament.
“It just feels natural,” Draper said. “I don’t really practise drop shots.
I always joke with my coach that the more I practise them, the worse I get.”
His tactic was clear—push Fonseca back with heavy groundstrokes, then delicately clip a drop shot into the open space. Time and again, it worked.
Learning to Love the Clay
Draper’s transformation on clay has been swift and impressive.
Once considered a surface that didn’t suit him, he’s now showing a game that echoes the strategy and finesse of the greats—Rafael Nadal would’ve appreciated the craft.
Fonseca: A Star in the Making, But Still Learning
Fonseca, for his part, is still a work in progress.
His talent is undeniable—he’s explosive, charismatic, and has the kind of energy that draws fans in droves.
But he’s still figuring out when to attack, when to defend, and how to adapt to the slower, more nuanced clay surface.
Draper, reflecting on their recent encounters, noted: “He maybe feels like he has to do too much. That’s just experience.”
All Eyes on the Future
Despite the hype, Fonseca’s time will come.
In fact, during the match, Draper even asked the umpire about the distracting flashes from phones—fans eager to capture a glimpse of a future superstar in action.
As Draper put it, many in the crowd were probably there just to say they saw Fonseca before he made it big.
Draper’s Big Week Is Just Getting Started
While Fonseca is still preparing his rise, Draper is already getting a taste of life at the top.
Next up, he’ll face Kazakh talent Alexander Bublik in the last 16—a match Draper is expected to win.
Beyond that? A possible quarter-final showdown with Jannik Sinner.
One thing’s clear—Jack Draper is no longer just potential. At Roland Garros this year, he’s making real moves.