Draper’s Cincinnati Exit Raises Questions Ahead of US Open

Jack Draper’s campaign at the Cincinnati Open concluded in the first round on Thursday, as he suffered a 6-3, 7-5 defeat to Martin Landaluce. The loss marks a second consecutive early exit for the British player, following a first-round elimination in Montreal just days prior, and casts a shadow over his preparation for the final major of the year.

Draper, who had recently returned to competition after a left-arm injury that has affected him since June 2025, appeared to have control of the second set after securing a double-break to lead 5-2. However, he failed to convert six set-point opportunities spread across the next three games. Landaluce responded by breaking twice to level the set at 5-5, before closing out the match in just under two hours.

The 24-year-old saved one match point for Landaluce and created a chance of his own to force a tie-break, but was ultimately denied. Draper appeared glum in the closing stages of the match, though he finished without displaying the obvious signs of distress that marred his previous defeat.

Concerns regarding Draper’s physical state were heightened during his earlier loss to Terence Atmane in Montreal, where his shot power notably dropped in the third set and he was seen in tears during a changeover. That result suggested a reaggravation of the injury that had previously pushed him to a career-high world ranking of fourth.

While a swift return to practice courts in Cincinnati helped calm immediate fears about his fitness, the true extent of his physical condition remains known only to Draper and his team. With the US Open set to begin in New York on August 30, the Cincinnati Open runs until August 24, providing a final opportunity for the player to find consistency before the Grand Slam event.