Unbeaten Draper powers through, beats Bublik to wrap up UTS London group stage

Jack Draper is making full use of the wild card given to him for the UTS Grand Final in London

Jack Draper (UTS London)

December 16, 2023

Jack “The Power” Draper remains unbeaten in his UTS debut, and goes into the Final Four in London with Alexander “The Bublik Enemy” Bublik the latest scalp in his collection – winning 12-11. 13-15, 13-12, 13-10 to round off Day Two.

“You’ve got to play him at his own game sometimes,” said Draper, referring to his liberal use of excellent drop shots throughout. “He’s a real showman, loves to do different stuff on the court, so sometimes you’ve got to give him a bit of his own medicine.”

There was drama at the end of the first quarter with the scores at 11-11 going into the deciding quarter point when Draper complained to the umpire that he had wanted to play his bonus card – but was told that Bublik had played his first. The Power was clearly a little riled, but took the quarter anyway.

“It’s great fun out here, what can I say?” he said during the break.

Draper: It was tough

Draper dropped the first quarter of his campaign when Bublik used his backhand to good effect, and followed an ace with an underarm serve to round off the second quarter 15-13.

Knowing he was already out of the competition and with the pressure off, Bublik began to enjoy the occasion a little more, and Draper clearly got tighter and tighter. Coach James Trotman regularly urged him to relax and allow the clock to tick down rather than rushing his serve. Indeed, on the first deciding point, Draper served a fault – but Bublik did too, handing the quarter to The Power 13-12.

And Draper got the job done with a 13-10 fourth quarter, admitting afterwards, “It was a tough match.”

The Power finishes as the only player in Group B with a point average in the positives, on 56.

Draper faces Casper “The Ice Man” Ruud in the Grand Final semi-final on Sunday, beginning at 5pm local time.

Andrey “Rublo” Rublev takes on Holger “The Viking” Rune in the first semi-final at 4pm.