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 event, produced one other sensible 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 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, informed 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 troublesome moments. Fortunately, ultimately I acquired it carried out.
“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 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 received their earlier two matches, got here via two taxing service video games however Musetti’s strain informed when he levelled at 4-4.
Nevertheless, 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.
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