Jack Draper shuts out Andy Murray absence with huge statement at Wimbledon

Following in the footsteps of a Wimbledon knight of the realm would be no mean feat. But Jack Draper made the start of his challenge to make sure Sir Andy Murray isn't missed around SW19, look like child's play.

This is the first Wimbledon in two decades without double champion Murray gracing the famous grass. Which means the attention when it comes to British men is all focused on Draper. Not least because of Draper's rapid rise to No.4 in the world rankings.

And with all the attention comes pressure, a situation not helped when a certain John McEnroe is tipping you to go on and win the tournament.

But Draper chose to do nothing to dampen expectations, following a performance which saw him blitz Sebastian Baez into submission on Court One.

The British No1. had been expected to brush aside the challenge of the Argentine underdog. And he duly did. And the beating was so bad that Baez decided to retire after just 74 minutes, when a sore ankle and deficit of two sets and a break of serve down meant he'd had enough.

Baez started the match as a 16-1 outsider, while Draper was 100-1 on to go through.

Draper towered over his rival. There was a heigh difference of seven inches. But the discrepancy in talent was far greater.

Draper broke Baez's serve in the first game of the match - and never looked back.

His booming forehand can resemble a weapon of mass destruction at times. And it caused maximum damage.

It took Draper just over 60 seconds to win the sixth game of the match, on his own serve, en-route to winning the first set 6-2 in just 26 minutes.

Forget this being a duel in the sun. It was more of a demolition instead. Draper broke Baez in the opening game of the second set as well. It was like deja vu. Baez wasn't helped by a slip, which saw him need medical treatment on his ankle. Few could have blamed him for waving the white flag there and then.

Instead he chose to continue being on the receiving end of some brutal forehand winners from Draper. Like the one which helped the crowd favourite go 4-1 up in the second set.

In less than an hour Draper was on the cusp of going two sets up. Baez might have chosen not to play a single game on grass in the build up to this tournament. But even if he had, it wouldn't have made a jot of difference.

Draper took the second set 6-2, having lost just two of the 18 points on his serve. The champagne corks were popping in the stands, while Draper produced his own fizz on the court.

He was closing in on seeing out a match in time to get home for the early evening news. A bulletin he was sure to feature on.

Draper wanted to continue playing, but Baez didn't. But nothing could distract from the fact Draper put down a clear statement of intent.

The likes of defending champion Carlos Alcaraz and world No.1 Jannik Sinner won't be shaking in their tennis shoes just yet.

And let's not forget Draper has never made it past the second round. But on current evidence, this is all about to change.

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