Andy Murray will give his coaching attempt with Jack Draper another go this week in Washington as the injury-prone Brit attempts a comeback after dropping out of Wimbledon and skewering his debut with his famed compatriot.

Murray has patiently adjusted to the waiting game with Draper, a one-time national No. 1 now ranked 147.

The pair will attempt to kick start their coaching relationship in steamy conditions in Washington as the pre-US open hardcourt season kicks off in the US capital.

Since announcement of the collaboration last May, Draper has only played one event, reaching the home semi-finals at Eastbourne.

But the Wimbledon partnership was put on hold by yet another injury to the fragile 24-year-old, who did not compete from last September until Davis Cup in February due to bone bruising in his serving arm.

Bringing three-time Grand Slam winner Murray on board had originally been billed as a deal of only a few weeks. Draper has played in only six events this season, winning eight of 13 matches.

Sky Sports reported that Sir Andy and his new pupil had been spotted on a practice court in Washington this week.

Main photo:- Sir Andy Murray takes a training time out with Jack Draper in Washington

Alexander Zverev intensified his quest for a second straight Grand Slam title, with the Wmbledon second seed rolling over France’s Valentin Royer 6-1, 6-3, 7-6 (3) on Thursday for a third-round spot.

The German earned his first career title at a major last month with victory at Roland Garros as he beat Flavio Cobolli.

The All England Club grass counts as the weakest link for Zverev, who has never passed the fourth round here while making the final at the other three majors.

The second seed dispatched Royer in two hours, overcoming a minor setback in the third set when he was broken for 4-all and had to win in a tiebreaker on his third match point.

“I played almost perfect tennis for two and a half sets, but I lost focus. I’m happy to get through in straights without another set,” he said.

“It’s nice to win easier at the beginning of the event. I’m getting to an age where you need to save energy. That also builds confidence.

“I love Wimbledon but I’m still waiting for a big result here. You have to take every match extremely seriously and play at 100 percent.”

Fifth seed Alex de Minaur spent less than two hours in dismantling Adrian Mannarino, with the Australian advancing to the third round 6-3, 6-2, 6-2.

De Minaur has a best here of a 2024 quarter-final, reaching the second week on three occasions. 

The Aussie ended with seven aces and the same number of double-faults while saving nine of the 11 break points he faced from the veteran Frenchman.

American sixth seed Taykor Fritz came to Wimbledon without his usual security blanket – a title at the run-up event at Eastbourne – but still managed a 6-2, 6-2, 7-5 defeat of compatriot Patrick Kypson in two hours.

Fritz skipped Eastbournre last month to rest and has won the title on the English south coast four times since 2019.

So far, his strategy has paid off with a pair of straight-set wins in his opening Wimbledon matches.

No. 113 Kypson saved three match points before lobbing long on a fourth as Fritz advanced to the third round.

“I’m happy I was able to avoid a tiebreaker, avoid a fourth set and get it done in three,” the winner said.

“All of my best results here – two quarter-finals and a semi one year ago – have come after winning Eastbourne.

“I like the feeling of coming onto court with that confidence and just keep the rhythm going into Wimbledon.”

Fritz added: “I felt a little nervy in the beginning, it’s sometimes tough to trust my shots when it’s so windy,” Fritz said.

“I settled into the match well, did a good job returning his serve. I thought I served really well most of the match, outside of just one game.

“In the end it was just a clean match.” 

Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego had to work for nealry four and a half hours before finally defeating Canadian Gabriel Diallo 7-6 (4), 4-6, 7-6 (4).

French-born Arthur Fery kept British men’s hopes alive as he beat Finnish qualifier Otto Virtanen 5-7, 7-6 (3), 6-3, 6-3 to next play Belgian Zizou Bergs.

Eastbourne champion Bergs is on a roll after winning his seventh consecutive match and 20th of the season.  

Rafael Jodar finished up a match halted by Wednesday darkness, winning an all-Spanish battle with veteran Pablo Carreno Busta 3-6, 6-3, 1-6, 6-3, 6-4 after nearly four hours. 

The halo effect from iconic new coach Andy Murry on Monday sent Jack Draper to a satisfying knee injury comeback win as the Briton advanced on the grass at Eastbourne.

The former national No. 1 who once touched fourth in the world, had not played since mid-April in Barcelona, defeated substitute opponent Marcos Giron 6-4, 7-6 (5). 

The American replaced compatriot Brandon Nakashima in the draw on the English south coast.

With Murray in his corner for the grass season, Draper’s confidence seemed to fly.

But he warned:”I haven’t called him ‘Sir’ yet – that’s not going to happen,” he said of his knighted new mentor.who retired two years ago this month.

“I’m really grateful to Andy that he’s chosen to help me and wants to help me. Today was a performance a bit like what he used to do – winning ugly.”

Due to an unfortunate series of arm, knee and shoulder problems, Draper’s match was only his 10th of this season.

“Andy, truthfully, is one of my biggest inspirations. When I was younger I remember him playing all the big events and being there to watch him,” Draper said.
“He believes in my game, he believes in me as a person. That’s what I really need right now coming back from the year I have had.”

Draper now plays compatriot Jack Pinnington Jones in the second round.

Main photo:- Jack Draper winning at Eastbourne – ©LTA