Jack Draper’s run at the Monte-Carlo Masters ended before the quarter-final stage with a gruelling three-set defeat to Spain’s Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.
Fifth seed Draper, who dispatched Marcos Giron in a comfortable 6-1 6-1 victory on Tuesday, struggled with his serve in the Principality, double-faulting 10 times during the 6-3 6-7 (6) 6-4 loss.
The Briton was playing catch-up early in the first set after falling 2-0 down, only to level at 2-2 with two flawless games. However, he dropped his serve in the eighth game and Davidovich Fokina converted immediately to seal the set 6-3.
The second set followed a similiar pattern with the 23-year-old falling behind 3-1, but he clawed his way back level with a break of serve.
Davidovich took the set to a tie-break and had a match point when 6-5 before Draper held his nerve to take the next three points and level the tie.
The final set saw the Spaniard take control once more as he moved 3-1 clear, with Draper breaking serve in the fifth game to restore parity.
The end came as Draper served at 4-5, the 10th and final double fault consigning him to defeat.
Jack Draper lost in three sets at the Monte-Carlo Masters
Davidovich Fokina: I didn’t feel at my best
Davidovich Fokina, who made 57 unforced errors to his opponent’s 46, told Sky Sports: “Today I didn’t feel at my best or at my best mentally with my strategy.
“It was a rollercoaster with my mind, I didn’t know how to control the emotions and I didn’t respect myself or my team. I am so sorry with how I did today and I am happy with the win. I will be ready for tomorrow.
“Today, Jack could have won because he was playing better than me, I was struggling with every point but I knew how to stay on my serve and try with all my body in the last game. I am happy with how I did in the last game.”
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Carlos Alcaraz and Daniel Altmaier went back and fourth to produce an epic rally in the Monte-Carlo Masters.
What is the schedule for the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters?
Main draw: Sunday April 6-Sunday April 13
Doubles final: Sunday April 13 (12pm)
Singles final: Sunday April 13 (3pm)
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