Wed Feb 19 13:50:00 UTC 2025: ## Draper Advances at Qatar Open, Alcaraz Also Wins
**Doha, Qatar** – British rising star Jack Draper secured his place in the second round of the Qatar Open after a hard-fought victory over Alexei Popyrin. The eighth seed, playing his first match since an injury retirement at the Australian Open, dominated the first set 6-2 in just 27 minutes. While Popyrin mounted a stronger challenge in the second set, Draper ultimately prevailed in a 7-6(7-4) tie-break, setting up a last-16 clash with Australian qualifier Christopher O’Connell.
Top seed Carlos Alcaraz also advanced, defeating Marin Cilic 6-4, 6-4. Cilic, returning from a knee injury, missed opportunities to take the lead in the second set. Alcaraz will face either Zhang Zhizhen or Luca Nardi in the next round.
First Piper 