Atmane prevails in three-set battle
At the ATP Masters 1000 hard-court event in Montreal, Térence Atmane claimed a first-round victory over Britain's Jack Draper, winning 6-3, 2-6, 6-2. The 24-year-old French left-hander came through in just over two hours to record his 13th win of the 2026 season. For Draper, his return to the hard-court stage after a lengthy injury layoff ended at the first hurdle.
Atmane controlled proceedings from the baseline throughout the opening set. He secured the decisive break while conceding not a single break point to Draper — a clear statement of early authority. A first-serve percentage of 56 percent underpinned his solid display. Draper struggled to find his footing and was forced to surrender the set 3-6.
Draper fights back — but only briefly
The second set offered a glimpse of Draper at his best. Wielding his powerful left-handed game, he dominated on serve and kept his unforced errors to a minimum. An early break, earned in commanding fashion, paved the way for a convincing 6-2 set that briefly recalled his former level. For a moment, it seemed as though the match might swing in an entirely different direction.
But the third set brought a painful turn of events. Draper's hitting arm progressively lost its power — his left humerus, the site of a stress fracture sustained in spring 2025 that had already cost him all three Grand Slams this season, began to take its toll. Atmane capitalised relentlessly on his opponent's fading strength, converting his break points to move ahead 4-1. At the subsequent changeover, Draper broke down in tears — a deeply moving image that spoke to the full weight of his injury ordeal.
Draper's difficult road back
For Jack Draper, Montreal was only his second tournament since beginning his partnership with coach Andy Murray in May 2026. Having retired from his match in Washington shortly beforehand and spending almost six weeks without competitive tennis, he entered in Montreal on a wildcard. His ranking has plummeted from a career-high of No. 4 to around No. 147 as a result of his injury struggles — a drop of 143 places in the space of twelve months.
Térence Atmane, meanwhile, continues an impressive 2026 campaign. With 75 percent of break points converted and 78 percent of break points saved, the Frenchman demonstrated mental strength and tactical maturity. The overall point stats — 51 to 49 percent — reflect how closely contested the match was, yet they also underline that Atmane delivered superior efficiency when it mattered most. For Draper, a wildcard into the forthcoming Cincinnati event represents another small step on the long road back.
