Jack Draper overcame an early scare at the French Open to beat Mattia Bellucci in four sets.
The Brit is largely expected to enjoy a strong run in Paris, heading into the tournament in arguably the best clay-court form of his career.
And, yesterday marked a milestone for the world number five, who won his first-ever Roland Garros match at the third time of trying.
Bellucci made for an awkward opponent to bypass, with a bag of tricks unlike many others on tour.
One such shot, which can be known to draw disdain in some areas of the tennis community, was the underarm serve. The Italian was not afraid to use it yesterday.
In fact, in the sole set he won, he used that shot to great effect on set point.
Jack Draper reflects on the underarm serve
Asked about his thoughts on the underarm serve, Jack Draper admitted that he actually respects those who have the ability to perform the shot rather than admonishes them.
He believes that it’s a viable tactic and very much part of the game, and stated about Bellucci: ‘I knew that he does use it a little bit. I never understand it, with underarm serves, why people boo and stuff because it’s part of the game. If you’ve got that shot in the locker, so many guys are returning from so far back in the court, it’s a good play.
‘It worked on that point against me today. I have seen him pull out that one before. I was kind of wary of it. It’s a good shot if you can play it at the right time, the guy’s not really engaged or something and he’s standing so far back.
‘He’s a talented boy, isn’t he? I don’t have that shot in the locker. I definitely don’t, terrible.’
Laura Robson said she’s noticed a change in Draper ahead of the tournament, which certainly could help him go deep in the French capital this year and trouble his next-round opponent.
Jack Draper sets up huge French Open showdown vs Gael Monfils
In beating Bellucci, Draper has got his French Open campaign truly up and running.
However, he will face an almighty task in round two, as he will be tasked with triumphing over the true hometown hero, Gael Monfils.
The Frenchman came from two sets down last night to win, in what was a truly explosive atmosphere on Philippe Chatrier.
He conducts that crowd so well with his explosive and elegant play style, and Draper will have to be laser-focused to ensure the support doesn’t get whipped up like it did last night.
The 15,000-capacity stadium cheered his every success, and the noise generated when he won the fourth-set tiebreaker to send it to a deciding fifth set was incredible.
Draper has been received well in Paris so far, but he will become public enemy number one when he has to face Monfils in his own backyard.
