Jack Draper vs Hubert Hurkacz Prediction & Betting Tips - ATP Japan Open

Prediction published on 26/09/2024, 04:34  by Daniel Ngulu | Modified on 26/09/2024 at 06:49 in Tennis Predictions

Second seed Hubert Hurkacz and unseeded Jack Draper will meet in the second round at the 2024 Japan Open. This sixth career meeting between them will be played on Friday. Read on for our prediction of this match.

Draper overcame the challenge of qualifier Mattia Bellucci in the first round in straight sets. The win halted a run of three successive defeats and he will be eager to keep this run going. Draper has struggled against Hurkacz, managing just one win.

A positive from this though, is that the win was achieved in their only hard-court duel, at the 2023 US Open. Draper is having his best season at tour level.

He has claimed 31 wins, resulting in his first tour title, in Stuttgart, and a runner-up finish in Adelaide. The current world number 20 also had a surprise run to the US Open semi-finals.

Hubert Hurkacz had to sweat to claw his way out of the opening round. The Pole began his tournament by battling American Marcos Giron in the first round. He won in three sets with the match going over the two-hour mark.

The win allowed him to advance past the opening round for the first time in three main draw appearances in Tokyo. Now he will seek another win against Draper. Hurkacz has defeated Draper four times previously with two of his wins coming this year.

He secured both victories on clay in Madrid and Monte-Carlo. The current world number eight has won 40 of the 57 matches he has played this year. With this form, he has claimed one title and finished as runner-up.

The 27-year-old has made it to at least the quarter-finals of a singles event eight times this season. The winner here will next play Ugo Humbert, Frances Tiafoe or Brandon Nakashima.