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Fixture: Jack Draper vs Mattia Bellucci
Date: September 26, 2024
Tournament: Japan Open 2024
Round: First Round (Round of 32)
Venue: Ariake Coliseum, Tokyo, Japan
Category: ATP 500
Surface: Hardcourt
Prize Money: $1,818,380
Live Telecast: USA - ESPN | UK - Sky Sports | Canada - TSN
Jack Draper vs Mattia Bellucci preview
World No. 20 Jack Draper will take on Mattia Bellucci in the first round of the Japan Open on Thursday.
Draper's game has shown a lot of improvement in recent times. He's chalked up 30 wins from 50 matches, including a title-winning run at the Stuttgart Open and a runner-up finish at the Adelaide International. He also reached the semifinals of the US Open, where he lost to Jannik Sinner in straight sets.
The Brit reached his first Grand Slam semifinal in New York this year. He defeated the likes of Botic Van De Zandschulp, Tomas Machac, and Alex De Minaur en route to the last four, but came up shy against Sinner. The Italian outclassed Draper in three sets 7-5, 7-6(3), 6-2.
Mattia Bellucci, meanwhile, has played most of his tennis on the ATP Challenger circuit this season. Reaching the quarterfinals of the Atlanta Open was his best result on the main tour. He secured a runner-up finish in the Cary Challenger in August.
The 23-year-old will enter Tokyo on the back of a second-round exit in Hangzhao. He defeated Aslan Karatsev in the first round, but couldn't tip the scales in his favor against Zhang Zhizhen. The Chinese player outclassed Bellucci in straight sets 6-3, 6-0.
Jack Draper vs Mattia Bellucci head-to-head
Jack Draper and Mattia Bellucci are yet to face each other on the main tour, and so their head-to-head is locked at 0-0.
Jack Draper vs Mattia Bellucci odds
Odds will be updated when available.
Jack Draper vs Mattia Bellucci prediction
Fans and experts have high expectations from Jack Draper due to his brilliant record on the Challenger circuit. He's still finessing his game on the main tour, though he has shown his temperament with a semifinal run in New York. The Brit has a 60% win ratio on hardcourt and looks good for a second trophy this year.
Bellucci, on the other hand, managed to enter the French Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open via the qualifiers. He's been working towards finding his rhythm at the highest level and has a great chance to make his preparation count in Tokyo. The youngster almost edged past Frances Tiafoe at Rolland Garros, but eventually lost in five sets. He has a steady all-around game but has not been able to take risks regularly.
Considering the two players' current form and results this year, Draper will undoubtedly be the favorite to come out on top. The Brit will enter Tokyo on the back of a two-match losing streak in the Davis Cup Finals and will be eager to get back to winning ways. He should be able to overpower Bellucci in the Tokyo opener and begin with a win.
Pick: Jack Draper to win in straight sets.
