Britain's Jack Draper opened his Eastbourne Open campaign with a 6-4 7-6 (7-5) win over lucky‑loser Marcos Giron, his first match under new mentor Andy Murray. The former world No. 4 returned to grass after a knee injury that limited him to nine matches in 2026. The victory lifts him to 44th in the ATP rankings, his best spot since the layoff.

Draper has battled recurring knee problems since the US Open last August, forcing a withdrawal in April and curtailing his season. Eastbourne offered his first competitive grass event, replacing Brandon Nakashima who withdrew after a Queen’s Club semifinal run. Giron was a lucky loser stepping in for the withdrawn Nakashima, and Draper praised Murray’s calm mentorship, saying the former champion’s belief fuels his comeback.

Next up, Draper meets fellow Brit Jack Pinnington Jones in the second round, a match that could cement his form before the All England Club. A win would also boost his seeding prospects for the Wimbledon draw. A strong showing would validate Murray’s coaching gamble and give British fans a home‑grown contender on centre court.