It had promised to be a close contest with world No.39 Machac also enjoying the best season of his career, including a May win over Novak Djokovic.

But the match changed dramatically in the seventh game of the first set with the score at 3-3. On the first point on the Machac serve, the Czech’s driven backhand hit Draper on the wrist at the net to win the point before quickly apologising.

“The ball came off Mr Draper’s body and that is not allowed in tennis,” explained Australian umpire John Blom.

Draper accepted the apology but the incident seemed to affect Machac as he lost the next four points - including an easy smash at the net - and the next seven games.

The British No.1 took his third set point after only 34 minutes when the Czech missed another forehand - his 16th unforced error of the opening set.