The post-victory celebration might have been reserved – a solemn face only briefly breaking into half a smile – but Draper will be delighted with his ATP Tour return, make no mistake.
An absence of nearly six months has undoubtedly been difficult for Draper to deal with.
Pulling out of January’s Australian Open showed the severity of the bruised humerus on his dominant left arm – the bone running from the shoulder to the elbow – and the necessity to avoid any risks.
So too did the decision to withdraw from the ATP tournament in Rotterdam earlier this month.
Some saw that move, coming after making his comeback with a routine Davis Cup win, as a red flag.
For Draper, though, it was all about playing the long game with a career which has been characterised by injury.
But there was no holding back against Halys. A pair of flaying forehands in the first two points of the match set the tone, followed by a booming ace at the start of an opening service game where he found his range with four out of five first serves.
Draper was wearing a protective compression sleeve on the affected arm, but he continued to play freely and fluently from the baseline.
It has been clear for a while there is not a straightforward fix with an injury of this nature.
Generally speaking, the fear with a bruised humerus is the problem could lead to a more serious stress fracture with continued repetition and torsional stress – which tennis players clearly face.
Patience has become a virtue which Draper has needed to learn – and, while this was an impressive return, he may still need more of it in the weeks and months ahead.