‘Frustration boiled out’ - Jack Draper overcomes racquet-smashing rage to progress to Italian Open last 16 with win over Vit Kopriva

Jack Draper's superb 2025 season continued as he moved into the last 16 of the Italian Open with a straight-sets win over Vit Kopriva. However, the world No. 5 faced a tough task and admitted that his "frustration boiled out" in the second set when he repeatedly smashed his racquet into the clay. "I'm human, we don't always wake up feeling great," Draper said afterwards.

Great Britain's Jack Draper reacts during the men's single match with Czech Republic's Vit Kopriva at ATP Rome Open tennis tournament at Foro Italico, in Rome on May 11, 2025.

Image credit: Getty Images

Jack Draper admitted he let frustration get the better of him as he was forced to work hard to beat world No. 92 Vit Kopriva in the third round of the Italian Open.

The British No. 1 triumphed 6-4 6-3 on a sweltering day in Rome to set up a last 16 clash with Corentin Moutet.

However, the scoreline only told half the story of a one-hour, forty-minute battle in which Draper lost his cool midway through the second set.

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Presented with a big chance for a double break when leading 3-1, Draper let four break points slip and responded by repeatedly smashing his racquet into the red clay before angrily throwing it to the ground beside his seat.

He recovered to win three of the next four games and progress in his bid to reach a second consecutive final after his runner-up finish in Madrid.

"I'm human, we don't always wake up feeling great," Draper told Sky Sports.

"I get out of bed and I feel so angry some days, but I've got to play a tennis match and I've got to go through those ups and downs too.

"I've played a lot of tennis and lots of matches, and I'm getting used to that, my ranking is going up and I'm getting to compete week in, week out, and it's taking some getting used to from a mental and physical perspective.

"I want to keep going, but sometimes it's difficult to always be perfect. The more I'm playing, the more my confidence is building."

Draper faced a tough task against a relatively unknown opponent, this being the furthest that Czech player Kopriva has ever progressed at an ATP 1000 event.

Under the blaze of the Roman sun, Draper was made to sweat as his steadiness on serve helped him take a tight opening set 6-4.

The turning point came when the Brit broke for a 4-3 lead in one of just three break points shared by the two players over the course of the set.

Kopriva's only opening came as Draper attempted to serve out the set, but the world No. 5 shut it down.

He then broke immediately in the second set, before overcoming his racquet-smashing rage to win three of the next four games, clinching victory with a third break of the match.

"It was a tough match, especially against a guy who is a bit unknown, but he's won a lot of matches here," Draper said.

"I felt a bit low on energy, my feet weren't working as well as I wanted them to, but I tried to fight hard and find a way.

"The frustration boiled out a bit too much in the end, but I stayed at it and came through."

Next up for the Brit is a clash with Frenchman Moutet, who claimed a career-first top 10 win by beating ninth seed Holger Rune in three sets.

Moutet won 7-5 5-7 7-6(4) in a match clocked at three hours, 44 minutes – the second-longest three-set match in Italian Open history and fourth overall, as reported by the ATP.

"I look up to Corentin Moutet, I played with him when I was younger," Draper said.

"He brings a lot to tennis. Whenever I watch him, it's interesting. I look forward to that battle."

The winner of that tie is on a collision course to meet reigning French Open and Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz in the quarter-finals, barring a major upset.

Tensions rise as Fils dumps out Tsitsipas

There was a tense ending to Arthur Fils’ win over Stefanos Tsitsipas when the two were involved in a lengthy exchange of words at the net.

The Frenchman claimed a 2-6 6-4 6-2 comeback win but afterwards the Rome crowd booed loudly as a seemingly heated exchange unfolded between the players.

However, the back-and-forth appeared to end on good terms as Fils patted his Greek opponent on the back before the umpire said: "Good job."

Former champion Daniil Medvedev dispatched Alexei Popyrin 6-4 6-1 to set up a last-16 tie with home favourite Lorenzo Musetti, who earned his 150th tour-level win in a 6-4 6-3 victory over Brandon Nakashima.

Defending champion Alexander Zverev also progressed to set up a meeting with Fils, beating qualifier Vilius Gaubas 6-4 6-0.

Watch and stream the 2025 French Open live on TNT Sports and discovery+

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