Jack Draper feels his “brutal” loss to Casper Ruud within the Madrid Open last will enhance him as a participant along with his opponent saying the “sky is the limit” for the British No 1.
Draper was crushed in three units by Ruud in Spain as his hopes of a second Masters 1000 title in as many months – after Indian Wells in March – had been dashed with a 7-5 3-6 6-4 reverse.
The 23-year-old – who has changed Novak Djokovic as world No 5 – was 5-3 up within the first set earlier than shedding 4 video games in a row however ensured a decider by taking the second set.
A gruelling third went Ruud’s approach because the Norwegian secured a maiden Masters 1000 trophy of his profession and stored Draper ready for a primary ATP-level event win on clay.
Draper, who had by no means beforehand been past the quarter-finals of an occasion on the floor, stated he thought Ruud was “braver in the key moments” however added: “This loss hurts.
“This sport is brutal, but I think this loss is going to make me better.”
The ultimate was Draper’s third of the yr, with the left-hander crushed by Andrey Rublev in Qatar in February earlier than downing Holger Rune at Indian Wells to win a event by which he additionally knocked out four-time Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz.
Draper now has three ATP Tour titles – his Indian Wells triumph following victories in Stuttgart and Vienna final yr – and he got here near a fourth in Madrid.
He didn’t lose a set in 5 matches earlier than going through Ruud, along with his forehand a very potent weapon all through the week.
‘Draper a risk on any floor – there are not any holes in his recreation’
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
Ruud says Draper is a risk on all surfaces and has ‘no holes’ in his recreation
Ruud was complimentary about his opponent whereas chatting with Sky Sports activities afterwards, saying: “If you looked at his career before Madrid his biggest results have been hard court or grass but he has shown he understands clay and can be a threat on the surface.
“He was not dangerous earlier than however he has actually taken an enormous step.
“He was in a position to reply my top-spin forehand and he has a heavy forehand himself, plus he serves nice and strikes nice. There are not any holes in his recreation
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
Draper was livid with himself after shedding the primary set in opposition to Ruud in Spain
“Results like this will make you believe more and give you confidence. The sky is the limit and I have beaten him once before he gets better!”
Draper and Ruud will now play in subsequent week’s Italian Open in Rome, a event which is able to see the return of world No 1 Jannik Sinner following the top of his three-month ban.
An out-of-form Djokovic has withdrawn from that occasion, whereas Alcaraz will make a late name on his inclusion as he recovers from a muscle harm that dominated him out of Madrid.
Watch the Italian Open dwell on Sky Sports activities Tennis from Might 7-18 as Sky Sports activities’ intensive protection of the ATP and WTA Excursions, which incorporates the US Open later this yr, continues. Stream tennis and extra prime sport with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime.
