Jack Draper pulls out of DC Open after latest injury setback as Cameron Norrie ends losing streak

Jack Draper has pulled out of this week’s Mubadala DC Open with an arm injury, tournament officials have announced.

It is the latest setback for the 24-year-old, who has been dogged by fitness issues throughout the year and missed the first three grand slam events.

The former world No 4, who has now fallen to a ranking of 147, had been due to play American Alex Michelsen in the first round.

A statement on X read: “Jack Draper has withdrawn from the tournament with a left arm injury. He will be replaced in the draw by lucky loser Mackenzie McDonald.”

It is understood that Draper has withdrawn to focus on next month’s ATP Tour events in Montreal and Cincinnati, although he would need a wild card in both, and the US Open, for which he would probably need to qualify.

Cameron Norrie, meanwhile, light work of American Aleksandar Kovacevic with a 6-4 6-1 win at the Miffel Tennis Open.

Fifth seed Norrie ended a six-match losing streak stretching back to April as he progressed to the last 16 in one hour and 22 minutes.

Playing in the Los Cabos event where he won his first ATP Tour title in 2021, Norrie lost on serve in the opening game of the match but immediately broke back and converted his second set point.

A one-sided second set lasted just 32 minutes as Kovacevic held serve only once, and that after saving two break points.

Norrie will face either Australian James Duckworth or American qualifier Aidan Mayo in the last 16.

In Washington, Katie Boulter failed to build on a promising start as she lost to Ashlyn Krueger.

The 29-year-old, who married Australian world No 5 Alex De Minaur earlier this month, dominated the first set and went a break up in the seventh game as Krueger sent a backhand long.

Boulter, making her first appearance since a first-round Wimbledon exit, broke again two games later to clinch the opening set.

American Krueger turned things around – having made 16 unforced errors in the first set, she made only 10 more as she completed a 3-6 6-2 6-2 victory to set up a last-16 clash against Naomi Osaka.

PA