Jack Draper beaten by Alex de Minaur in three-hour Japan Open clash after serving for the match

Jack Draper was beaten by Alex de Minaur in a gruelling three-hour first-round encounter at the Japan Open.

Qualifier Draper led by a set and a break, and also had a chance to serve for the match at 5-4 in the final set.

But it was world No. 13 De Minaur who prevailed with a 4-6 7-6(4) 7-6(1) win and will face Francisco Cerundolo or Diego Schwartzman in the next round.

For Draper, it was almost another big win to add to his collection, which includes victories over Hubert Hurkacz, Karen Khachanov, Tommy Paul and Andy Murray this year.

The British No. 4 was playing in his first ATP Tour event since making the last 16 of the US Open, after dropping down to play two ATP Challenger events in France.

Draper had taken the first set the last time he met De Minaur at Wimbledon in 2022, and he did the same again.

After saving a break point in the seventh game of the set, Draper then broke to take the opener 6-4.

An early break in the second set put Draper 2-0 ahead as he scrambled well and then passed De Minaur at the net with a forehand.

But De Minaur hit back with a four-game run to lead 4-2.

Draper managed to get back on level terms but a tight tie-breaker went De Minaur’s way.

The deciding set went on serve until the ninth game when Draper broke to lead 5-4.

Draper couldn’t serve out the win as he looked to be struggling with cramp, and De Minaur then ran away in the tie-breaker and sealed victory with an ace.

De Minaur is still in contention to qualify for the Nitto ATP Finals. He is 13th in the standings, 560 points behind eighth-placed Holger Rune.

British No. 1 Cameron Norrie faces top seed Taylor Fritz in the last 32 of the Tokyo Open on Tuesday.

British No. 2 Dan Evans plays Filip Misolic at the Stockholm Open.