Jack Draper adopted up his maiden ATP 500 title in Vienna on the weekend with a convincing 7-5 6-2 win over Jiri Lehecka within the first spherical of the Paris Masters.
Simply over 48 hours on from claiming the most important title of his profession up to now, the 22-year-old British No 1 confirmed no indicators of fatigue in storming into the second spherical in Paris.
Draper wanted only one hour and eight minutes to dispatch his Czech opponent in straight units, organising a gathering subsequent with world No 6 Taylor Fritz of the USA.
Draper edged a decent first set courtesy of a single break of serve within the eleventh recreation, whereas a Lehecka double fault gifted the Brit one other early within the second set that he’d quickly convert right into a double break on his method to a cushty win.
Draper and Fritz have squared off thrice beforehand, with Fritz successful each encounters this 12 months – in Munich, and once more on the Paris Olympics, coming from a set down on each events to triumph in three.
Draper’s sole success in opposition to the America got here on the grass at Queen’s Membership in 2022, successful their first assembly in straight units.
Draper is seeking to additional enhance on his present, career-high rating of fifteenth, with a view to doubtlessly sneaking into the season-ending ATP Finals in Turin.
Solely the highest eight on the planet compete, with two alternates additionally travelling to the match in case of damage, that means Draper would want a deep run in Paris and early exits for these in entrance of him to face an opportunity of qualifying.
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Highlights of the ultimate between Jack Draper and Karen Khachanov on the Vienna Open
Draper’s exceptional 12 months
Draper reached his maiden ATP Tour last 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 initially of 2024, defeating three top-40 gamers to make his second ATP last in Adelaide, however as soon as once more he completed as runner-up, this time to Lehecka.
Draper reached his third ATP last – this time on grass in Stuttgart – in June and after wins over Frances Tiafoe, Marcos Giron and Brandon Nakashima, whereas he defeated former Wimbledon runner-up Matteo Berrettini within the last to make it third time fortunate – battling again from a set right 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 Jannik Sinner earlier than bowing out 7-5 7-6 (7-3) 6-2.
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Following his run to the US Open semi-final, Martina Navratilova believes Jack Draper can proceed to go far within the Grand Slam occasions subsequent 12 months
Draper celebrated his second ATP title following a tense straight-sets victory over Karen Khachanov within the last of the Erste Financial institution Open in Vienna on Sunday, triumphing 6-4 7-5 over the Russian.
Draper vows to ‘shake up guys at high of recreation’
“I’m really happy with the way I’ve progressed this year,” stated Draper, after claiming his second profession title in Vienna on the weekend.
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Jack Draper has overwhelmed Karen Khachanov to win the Vienna Open, his first ATP 500 title
“I’ll focus on next week and then I’m going to look forward to having a bit of time off and probably not thinking about tennis. It has been a long year and it has taken a lot out of me.
“After which I am going to refresh and I am going to go once more for subsequent 12 months with even larger motivation to essentially shake up these guys on the high of the sport – the likes of Sinner and Alcaraz.
“If I can keep on improving physically and keep on getting more and more experience at this higher level against top players then I’m going to give myself a shot to hopefully be competing with those guys.
“However there’s lots of work to do.”
What’s coming up on Sky Sports Tennis?
- Hong Kong Tennis Open – WTA 250 (October 28 – November 3)
- Jiangxi Open – WTA 250 (October 28 – November 3)
- Merida Open Akron – WTA 250 (October 28 – November 3)
- Rolex Paris Masters – ATP 1000 (October 28 – November 3, with Jack Draper in action)
- WTA Finals Riyadh – (November 2-9)
- Belgrade Open – ATP 250 (November 3-9)
- Moselle Open, Metz – ATP 250 (November 3-9)
- Nitto ATP Finals, Turin – (November 10-17)
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