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 to this point, 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 with world No 6 Taylor Fritz of the USA – stay on Sky Sports activities Tennis on Wednesday, from roughly 5pm.
The USA’s Taylor Fritz, ranked sixth on the earth, is subsequent up for Draper within the second spherical
Draper edged a good first set courtesy of a single break of serve within the eleventh sport, whereas a Lehecka double fault gifted the Brit one other early within the second set that he would quickly convert right into a double break on his option to a cushty win.
Carlos Alcaraz pulls off tweener however Nicolas Jarry responds and wins the purpose!
World No 2 Carlos Alcaraz cruised by means of his match opener, beating Nicolas Jarry 7-5 6-1 in straight units of their second-round match.
Elsewhere, there have been first-round wins too for seeds Alex de Minuar (9), Stefanos Tsitsipas (10) and Holger Rune (13), however sixth-seeded Andrey Rublev suffered a shock second-round exit to Francisco Cerundolo, taking place in two tie-breaks 7-6 (8-6) 7-6 (7-5).
Two additional seeds crashed out within the first spherical, with Hubert Hurkacz (12) dropping out to Alex Michelsen and Frances Tiafoe (14) crushed by Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard.
Karen Khachanov, having been defeated by Draper in that Vienna remaining on Sunday, bounced again with a first-round win over over Christopher O’Connell, whereas Ben Shelton beat Corentin Moutet to ebook his spot within the final 32.
Draper has met his second-round opponent Fritz 3 times beforehand, with Fritz profitable 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 American got here on the grass at Queen’s Membership in 2022, profitable 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 earth compete, with two alternates additionally travelling to the match in case of harm, 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.
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 remaining 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 in the beginning of 2024, defeating three top-40 gamers to make his second ATP remaining in Adelaide, however as soon as once more he completed as runner-up, this time to Lehecka.
Draper reached his third ATP remaining – this time on grass in Stuttgart – in June and after wins over Frances Tiafoe, Marcos Giron and Brandon Nakashima, he defeated former Wimbledon runner-up Matteo Berrettini within the remaining to make it third time fortunate – battling again from a set all the way down to beat the Italian 3-6 7-6 (7-5) 6-4.
The win additionally meant that he overtook Cameron Norrie to grow to be 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.
Following his run to the US Open semi-final, Martina Navratilova believes 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 remaining 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 sport’
“I am actually pleased with the way in which I’ve progressed this 12 months,” stated Draper, after claiming his second profession title in Vienna on the weekend.
Draper beat Karen Khachanov to win the Vienna Open, his first ATP 500 title
“I am going to deal with subsequent week after which I’ll sit up for having a little bit of day off and possibly not eager about tennis. It has been an extended 12 months and it has taken loads out of me.
“After which I am going to refresh and I am going to go once more for subsequent 12 months with even greater motivation to actually shake up these guys on the high of the sport – the likes of Sinner and Alcaraz.
“If I can carry on enhancing bodily and carry on getting increasingly more expertise at this larger degree in opposition to high gamers then I’ll give myself a shot to hopefully be competing with these guys.
“However there’s loads of work to do.”
What’s arising on Sky Sports activities 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 motion)
- 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)
Sky Sports activities+ has formally launched and will likely be built-in into Sky TV, streaming service NOW and the Sky Sports activities app, giving Sky Sports activities clients entry to over 50 per cent extra stay sport this 12 months at no further price. Discover out extra right here.
