British number one Jack Draper made a winning return to the ATP Tour after six months out with a left arm injury, beating Quentin Halys 7-6 (10-8), 6-3 in Dubai.
The 24-year-old had not played a tour-level singles match since withdrawing from the US Open last August but had competed in the Davis Cup Qualifiers earlier this month. Draper, who reached a career-high world ranking of fourth in June 2025, is now ranked 15th and will face Fabian Marozsan or Arthur Rinderknech next.
Seeded fourth in Dubai, Draper survived a set point in a tight first-set tie-break before taking control in the second, breaking Halys to lead 3-1 and serving out the match comfortably. His 86% first-serve success and 19 winners off his previously injured forehand showed he had fully recovered.
Draper had a strong start to 2025, winning the Indian Wells Masters 1000 and reaching the fourth round at the Australian and French Opens, but a bruised bone in his service arm forced him to take a break to ensure a full recovery.
