What happened when Jack Draper played a practice set against Ben Shelton ahead of the Washington Open

Jack Draper and Ben Shelton kicked off their preparations for the Washington Open with a practice set this week. Both players head into the tournament looking to reset after difficult runs during the recent grass court season. Draper withdrew from Wimbledon due to an arm injury, while Shelton faced an early exit in the first round of the same tournament.

The practice session offered a glimpse into their current form, ending in a one-sided 6-1 set for Draper. Observations from the court indicated that Draper moved well and served with power, showing no lingering impact from the arm issues that sidelined him in London. Andy Murray, who continues to work with Draper, reportedly spoke highly of the Briton's return game during the set.

For Shelton, the session revealed some technical friction, specifically with his forehand. The American will look to resolve those issues before his opening match, especially as he prepares to juggle both singles and doubles commitments in D.C. alongside partner Daniel Hidalgo.

Draper enters this year's Washington Open field as a wildcard entry, currently positioned outside the top 140 due to his recent time away from the tour. He is scheduled to face American Alex Michelsen in the opening round of the singles draw. A victory there could lead to a second-round encounter against the fifth seed, Learner Tien.

The tournament draw remains challenging, with established names like Taylor Fritz and defending champion Alex de Minaur positioned as potential obstacles. While the practice session provided a confidence boost for Draper, the path back to the top of the rankings begins in earnest on Monday when the main draw officially commences.