Jack Draper’s outstanding season reached one other excessive on Saturday as he made it via to his first ATP 500 ultimate on the Erste Financial institution Open in Vienna.
The British No 1, benefiting from a month’s break earlier than the match, produced one other good efficiency to defeat Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti 6-2 6-4 in a single hour and 48 minutes.
The 22-year-old, who misplaced in straight units to world No 1 Jannik Sinner within the US Open semi-finals final month, reached his fourth Tour-level ultimate and is now on the right track to touchdown a second profession title following his victory in Stuttgart this summer time.
Draper, who will play the winner of the match between Australian second seed Alex de Minaur and Karen Khachanov, instructed Sky Sports activities: “I thought the first set was really high level from my side.
“Lorenzo is a extremely powerful competitor and the second set was up and down, some nerves and a few tough moments. Fortunately, ultimately I acquired it accomplished.
“I suppose it’s my biggest final yet. To be in the final of a 500 after the season I’ve had, I’m incredibly grateful.”
Having damaged Musetti’s serve within the opening recreation, Draper recovered from being damaged again to reel off 4 video games in a row and take the primary set.
Musetti, a Wimbledon semi-finalist this 12 months, dropped serve once more early within the second.
Draper, who had gained their earlier two matches, got here via two taxing service video games however Musetti’s strain instructed when he levelled at 4-4.
Nonetheless, the momentum swung dramatically again in Draper’s favour due to a wretched service recreation from Musetti.
A clearly exhausted Draper took a medical time-out at 5-4 however got here again out to wrap up victory and attain his first ultimate at ATP 500 degree.
Story of the Tape
Draper continues to climb up the rankings
The Briton has now leapfrogged Musetti within the ATP Rankings to a profession excessive of fifteenth.
British gamers to make Vienna ultimate
Draper is the fourth British participant to achieve the ultimate in Vienna after Greg Rusedski, Tim Henman and two-time winner Andy Murray.
Draper’s outstanding 12 months
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Highlights of an exhilarating US Open semi-final between Draper and Sinner…
Draper reached his maiden ATP Tour ultimate in Sofia final November, the place he narrowly misplaced to France’s Adrian Mannarino 7-6 (8-6) 2-6 6-3.
He picked up the place he left off at the beginning of 2024 – defeating three high 40 gamers to make his second ATP ultimate in Adelaide, however as soon as once more completed as runner-up, this time to Jiri Lehecka.
Draper reached his third ATP ultimate – this time on grass in Stuttgart – in June and after wins over Frances Tiafoe, Marcos Giron and Brandon Nakashima he defeated former Wimbledon runner-up Matteo Berrettini to make it third time fortunate.
The 22-year-old battled again from a set all the way down to beat the Italian 3-6 7-6 (7-5) 6-4.
The win additionally meant that he overtook Cameron Norrie to turn into the nineteenth man to be British No 1 within the Open Period.
At Queen’s Membership, he upset Carlos Alcaraz within the second spherical and he then made his maiden Grand Slam semi-final on the US Open the place he went toe-to-toe with world No 1 Jannik Sinner earlier than bowing out 7-5 7-6 (7-3) 6-2.
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