Jack Draper’s exceptional season reached one other excessive on Saturday as he made it by means of to his first ATP 500 closing on the Erste Financial institution Open in Vienna.
The British No 1, benefiting from a month’s break earlier than the event, 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 closing and is now heading in the right direction 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, advised Sky Sports activities: “I thought the first set was really high level from my side.
“Lorenzo is a very powerful competitor and the second set was up and down, some nerves and a few tough moments. Fortunately, ultimately I received it executed.
“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.”
De Minaur is chasing his ATP Finals debut and will cross Andrey Rublev in eighth place with the title in Vienna.
Having damaged Musetti’s serve within the opening sport, 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 yr, dropped serve once more early within the second.
Draper, who had received their earlier two matches, got here by means of two taxing service video games however Musetti’s stress advised when he levelled at 4-4.
Nevertheless, the momentum swung dramatically again in Draper’s favour because of a wretched service sport 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 closing at ATP 500 stage.
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 closing
Draper is the fourth British participant to succeed in the ultimate in Vienna after Greg Rusedski, Tim Henman and two-time winner Andy Murray.
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