Jack Draper stepped back onto the centre court at the Wiener Stadthalle on Sunday for one of the most significant matches of his career, his inaugural ATP 500 final. Throughout Draper’s young career, these high-stakes moments have often been accompanied by overwhelming tension and nerves, resulting in physical issues that prevented him from delivering his best tennis when it mattered most. However, after a year of relentless hard work and determination that has propelled him towards the pinnacle of his game, Draper was prepared this time. He secured the most prestigious title of his career with a masterful display of both his potential and resilience, dominating much of his match against Karen Khachanov before fending off a late comeback to claim the Vienna Open with a commanding 6-4, 7-5 victory.
This triumph marks Draper’s second career ATP title, following his maiden victory at the Stuttgart Open on grass earlier this year, and his first ATP 500 title. The 22-year-old is set to rise to a career-high ranking of No. 15 from his current world ranking of 18, a significant milestone that will place him in a higher seeding bracket for the numerous significant tournaments ahead. “To win my first ATP 500 title feels incredible. I’m overjoyed, incredibly proud of myself, my team, and the effort we’ve put in. It’s all for moments like this,” he remarked.
Two years ago, Draper and Khachanov faced each other in the third round of the US Open, one of the first notable results in the Briton’s career. Draper was playing exceptionally well then, positioning himself for a potential fourth-round appearance. However, he was far from ready. As he served for a two-sets-to-one lead, Draper suffered a hamstring tear and was forced to retire, one of several instances where his physical limitations hindered his progress.
Draper has endured numerous disappointments, but he has remained patient, focusing on improving his physicality. After reaching his first Grand Slam semi-final at the US Open last month, he is entering every match brimming with confidence. From the outset in Vienna, Draper was sharp. He broke Khachanov’s serve early and maintained an impressive level of serving throughout the set, landing 79% of his first serves and winning 95% of points behind them. He executed his shots spectacularly, effortlessly hitting laser-like forehands down the line and disrupting Khachanov’s elaborate forehand swing.
By the start of the second set, Khachanov was visibly unsettled, and Draper continued his aggressive play from the baseline, racing to a 4-0 lead. However, with two games remaining to secure victory, Draper’s energy waned. As his first serve percentage and ball speed decreased, his error count increased. Khachanov began to seize control of the neutral rallies, winning five consecutive games and establishing a 5-4, 15-30 lead on Draper’s serve. “I was playing so well, and then the momentum shifted slightly. I didn’t feel overly nervous or tight; I just missed a few shots, and Karen started swinging more freely, raising his level,” Draper explained.
As he stood on the precipice of a third set, Draper showcased an impressive display of mental fortitude and self-belief. He composed himself, delivered an excellent hold, and won the final three games to secure the title. In this unforgiving sport, Draper will have no time to reflect on the progress he has made over the past week. He will swiftly shift his focus to the final Masters 1000 event of the year in Paris, where, as the highest-ranked unseeded player, he will begin his tournament on Tuesday with a challenging match against Jiri Lehecka.
Source link: https://www.theguardian.com
