Jack Draper adopted up his maiden ATP 500 title in Vienna on the weekend by defeating Jiri Lehecka 7-5 6-2 within the first spherical of the Paris Masters.
Simply 48 hours faraway from claiming an important title of his profession up to now, the 22-year-old British world primary confirmed no indicators of fatigue as he stormed into the second spherical in Paris.
Draper wanted only one hour and eight minutes to beat his Czech opponent in straight units and arrange a showdown with American Taylor Fritz, ranked sixth on the planet. sky sports activities tennis dwell broadcast Wednesday begins round 5 p.m.
American Taylor Fritz, ranked sixth on the planet, will face Draper within the second spherical
Draper sealed the win with a single break of serve within the eleventh recreation, whereas a double fault by Lehka early within the second set gave the Briton one other likelihood, which he rapidly transformed right into a double break for a simple win. .
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Carlos Alcaraz hits the center transfer, however Nicolas Jarry responds and wins some extent!
second on the planet Carlos Alcaraz Within the first spherical, he defeated Nicolas Jarry in straight units within the second spherical 7-5 6-1.
Elsewhere, seeds additionally scored first-round wins Alex Deminur (9), Stefanos Tsitsipas (10) and Holger Ruhn (13), however the sixth seed Andrei Rublev He was eradicated by Francisco Cerundolo within the second spherical and misplaced 7-6 (8-6) 7-6 (7-5) in two tie-breaks.
The opposite two seeded groups have been eradicated within the first spherical. Hubert Hekatz (12) misplaced to Alex Michelson and Frances Tiafoe (14) Defeated by Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard.
Karen KhachanovBouncing again after being overwhelmed by Draper within the Vienna ultimate on Sunday, he beat Christopher O’Connell within the first spherical, whereas Ben Shelton Defeated Corentin Moutet to advance to the highest 32.
Draper has performed thrice beforehand in opposition to second-round opponent Fritz, who received each conferences this yr on the Munich and Paris Olympics, getting back from a set right down to win each occasions. .
Draper’s solely success in opposition to an American was on the grass at Queen’s Membership in 2022, successful their first assembly in straight units.
Draper shall be trying to enhance on his present career-high rating of fifteenth to doubtlessly attain the end-of-season ATP Finals in Turin.
Solely the highest eight gamers on the planet will be capable of participate within the match, and two substitutes can even be touring attributable to harm, that means Draper might want to play deep in Paris and withdraw early to make it to these forward of him. There’s a likelihood to advance.
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Highlights from the Vienna Open ultimate between Jack Draper and Karen Khachanov
Draper’s extraordinary 12 months
Draper reached the ATP Tour ultimate for the primary time in Sofia final November, however narrowly defeated French participant Adrian Mannarino 7-6 (8-6) 2-6 6-3.
He moved on in early 2024, defeating three prime 40 gamers to achieve his second ATP ultimate in Adelaide, however he once more completed runner-up, this time dropping to Lehka.
Draper reached his third ATP ultimate in June, this time on the grass courts of Stuttgart, having overwhelmed Frances Tiafoe, Marcos Giron and Brendan Nakajima within the ultimate. Wimbledon runner-up Matteo Berrettini made a fortunate third comeback to beat the Italians 3-6 7-6 (7-5) 6-4.
The win additionally meant he surpassed Cameron Norrie to turn into the nineteenth British primary within the Open period.
At Queen’s Membership, he defeated Carlos Alcaraz within the second spherical after which reached his first Grand Slam semifinal on the U.S. Open, the place he went toe-to-toe with Jannik Sinner, successful 7-5 7-6 ( 7-3)6-2.
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After reaching US Open semi-finals, Martina Navratilova believes Draper can go additional in Grand Slam subsequent yr
Draper celebrated his No. 1 title with a tense straight-sets victory over Karen Khachanov within the FirstBank Open ultimate in Vienna on Sunday, defeating the Russian 6-4 7-5. Two ATP titles.
Draper vows to be ‘a participant who rocks the highest of the sport’
“I am actually pleased with my progress this yr,” Draper mentioned after claiming his second profession title on the weekend in Vienna.
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Draper beats Karen Khachanov to win Vienna Open for his first ATP 500 title
“I am going to concentrate on subsequent week after which I am going to look ahead to having a while off and doubtless not desirous about tennis. It has been a protracted yr and it is taken loads from me.
“Then I’ll be contemporary and exit once more subsequent yr with much more motivation to actually shake up the fellows who’re on the prime of their recreation — like Sinner and Alcaraz.
“If I can proceed to enhance my health and proceed to play at the next stage in opposition to prime gamers and get increasingly more expertise, then I am going to give myself an opportunity and hopefully compete in opposition to these guys.
“However there’s nonetheless plenty of work to be finished.”
What’s coming to Sky Sports activities Tennis?
- Hong Kong Open – WTA 250 (October 28-November 3)
- Jiangxi Open-WTA 250 (October 28-November 3)
- Merida Akron Open – WTA 250 (Oct. 28 – Nov. 3)
- Rolex Paris Masters – ATP 1000 (October 28-November 3, that includes Jack Draper)
- WTA Finals Riyadh-(November 2-9)
- Belgrade Open – ATP 250 (November 3-9)
- Mosel Open, Metz – ATP 250 (November 3-9)
- Nitto ATP Finals, Turin – (November 10-17)
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