Jack Draper was forced to retire injured during Sunday’s Japan Open quarter-final against France’s Ugo Humbert.
Having lost the first set in Tokyo 7-5, British No 1 Draper received treatment for an abdominal complaint and, at 2-1 behind, could no longer continue, bringing his tournament run to an end.
Humbert will now face Tomas Machac of the Czech Republic – who Draper recently beat at the US Open – for a place in the final.
Draper, who was playing his first ATP Tour tournament since his run to the last four of the US Open earlier this month, initially continued after treatment, before pulling out with his movement during rallies clearly restricted.
Before travelling to Japan, the 22-year-old lost both of his matches for Great Britain at the Davis Cup, but kicked on to defeat Italy’s Mattia Bellucci and then Polish second seed Hubert Hurkacz in straight sets in the Japanese capital, playing some superb tennis.
Draper, who has enjoyed an injury-free run up to now in 2024, endured disrupted 2021, 2022 and 2023 campaigns.
Following the coin toss and warm-up, the start of the match was briefly delayed by rain, with the players leaving the court as the roof was closed.
Draper and Humbert were then each broken twice in the opening nine games before the former called for the physios.
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Draper had earlier pulled off an amazing defensive shot to break Humbert in the opening set
The Briton, who lay at the side of the court for treatment, successfully served to stay in the first set, but he was broken in his next service game as fellow left-hander Humbert seized the initiative with a stunning cross-court forehand.
Draper managed a further three games before trudging from court after calling time on the contest.
Tokyo Open home favourite Kei Nishikori was stopped by the sixth-seeded Holger Rune with a 3-6 6-2 7-5 comeback win to reach the semi-finals.
Milestone win for Alcaraz
Carlos Alcaraz sealed his 200th tour-level win
Carlos Alcaraz recorded his 200th tour-level win thanks to a 6-1 6-2 triumph over Tallon Griekspoor in the second round of the China Open.
The Spaniard became the third player born in the 2000s to achieve this feat, joining Jannik Sinner and Felix Auger-Aliassime.
“I’m really happy about it – 200 wins is a great number,” Alcaraz said. “But I am already looking for the third hundred. I just want to keep going, to keep rolling. I am looking forward to playing matches and to keep doing the things that I am doing.”
Alcaraz, who has 15 tour-level titles to his name, will face seventh seed Karen Khachanov in the quarter-finals in Beijing.
What’s coming up on Sky Sports Tennis in October?
- Shanghai Masters – ATP 1000 (October 2-13 – Jack Draper in action)
- Wuhan Open – WTA 1000 (October 6-12 – Emma Raducanu in action)
Sky Sports+ has officially launched and will be integrated into Sky TV, streaming service NOW and the Sky Sports app, giving Sky Sports customers access to over 50 per cent more live sport this year at no extra cost. Find out more here.