Draper beats Bellucci to reach Japan Open last 16

Britain's Jack Draper is done to nan Japan Open past 16 pursuing a straight-set triumph complete Mattia Bellucci.

World number 20 Draper hit nan Italian 6-4 6-2 for his first triumph since conclusion by Jannik Sinner successful nan US Open semi-finals earlier this month.

The triumph marks a return to shape for nan 22-year-old aft a disappointing Davis Cup successful Manchester wherever he mislaid his 2 singles matches.

Draper was beaten successful consecutive sets by Argentina's Francisco Cerundolo and Canada's Felix Auger-Aliassime arsenic Great Britain grounded to scope nan knockout stage.

After edging nan first group against world number 103 Belluci successful Tokyo, Draper pulled distant successful nan 2nd arsenic he opened up a 5-1 lead earlier seeing retired victory.

Draper will play Polish 2nd seed Hubert Hurkacz connected Friday.

Elsewhere, Greek 4th seed Stefanos Tsitsipas mislaid 4-6 6-1 6-2 to American Alex Michelsen.

American 5th seed Tommy Paul hit Italy's Matteo Arnaldi 6-3 6-2, while Japan's Yoshihito Nishioka edged Auger-Aliassime 7-6 (7-5) 3-6 7-6 (7-5) successful a lucifer that lasted 3 hours and 12 minutes.