Jack Draper got off to a winning start at the Madrid Open on Saturday, leaving giant killer Tallon Griekspoor rattled as he sealed a 6-3 6-4 victory. The Dutchman was heard complaining about Draper’s game style to his box, and the world No. 6 had his say after booking his spot in round three.

The Brit had not played a match since going out in the round of 16 at the Monte-Carlo Masters earlier this month, and has since enjoyed a brief training block with banned world No. 1 Jannik Sinner.

But it was business as usual when he returned to the clay courts at the Caja Magica as the No. 5 seed. Draper needed just an hour and 15 minutes to book his spot in round three while Griekspoor struggled to impose himself, chuntering away and throwing his racket.

The British No. 1 remained laser-focused, unaware of what was happening on the other side of the net, but he was informed of Griekspoor’s comments after the match and joked about getting in his head.

“I heard Tallon Griekspoor talking to his team, and he was saying you’re not really playing clay court tennis, you’re playing so fast. That’s a compliment to you, isn’t it? Were you playing clay-court tennis, do you feel?” Sky Sports pundit Karthi Gnanasegaram asked.

“I don’t know, you know. I know that I’m not going to be as effective as I want to be if I’m defensive,” Draper replied.

“If someone is getting me on the run on these courts, it’s not easy for anyone. So I just tried to play aggressive. Using my serve-volley, trying to look for my forehand. I mean, if it’s getting in his head then fair play!”

Draper has gone from being the hunter to the hunted at the top Masters 1000 events after lifting the Indian Wells trophy and breaking into the top 10.

He is now the highest-ranked man in the bottom half of the Madrid Open draw after Carlos Alcaraz withdrew and Novak Djokovic lost. But he still doesn’t feel like a top player.

“To be honest, I’m not thinking about it at all. In my mind, I’m still coming up,” he said of his status as one of the higher-ranked guys.

“Obviously, I am in a different position now and that feels great. But, in tennis, you’ve got to forget about the last week, the last two weeks, you’ve got to prove yourself today. I don’t really think about that, I just try to keep working hard, listening to my coach, doing all the right things.”

Draper needed just one break in each set to get the job done on Saturday as Griekspoor struggled to find answers, ranting after he lost his serve in the second set and later throwing his racket.

The Dutchman has been a bogey player for the top guys this year - he upset Daniil Medvedev at the Dubai Championships before sending top seed Alexander Zverev packing in Indian Wells. But Draper refused to become Griekspoor’s latest victim, getting revenge after he retired from their 2023 match in Winston-Salem.

The British No. 1 will now face a familiar opponent - Matteo Berrettini, the former Wimbledon finalist and 30th seed, against whom he has a perfect 2-0 record.

All three British men who played on Saturday have advanced, as Cameron Norrie and Jacob Fearnley pulled off upsets earlier in the day.

Draper added: “Cam obviously had an injury last year, to see him coming back is great. Jacob, someone my age, incredible player.

“The British public don't really know about him yet but he’s going to be, I think, one of the best players in the world and Cam has been up there too and he can do that as well. Really exciting for British tennis and healthy competition for us three.”