At the Erste Bank Open in Vienna, Jack Draper won the biggest title of his career. This made the British men’s number one’s breakout season even better.
In the ATP 500 event’s final, Draper, 22, defeated Karen Khachanov of Russia by a score of 6-4, 7-5.
“It feels incredible to win this title. Draper stated, “The hard work is for moments like this. I’m so proud of myself and my team.”
However, the victory was not all sunshine and rainbows.
Draper lost a 4-0 lead in the second set as Khachanov came back to take a 5-4 lead, but the Briton persevered and broke again for 6-5 to earn the opportunity to serve out the match.
In the 12th game, he had to hold off two break points, so when Khachanov hit a lob wide on the championship point, he fell to his back on the court to show his relief.
After winning an ATP 250 earlier this year in Stuttgart, it is the left-hander’s second tour-level title.
On Monday, Draper, who made it to his first Grand Slam semi-final at the US Open last month, will move up to a career-high ranking of 15th.
As he continued his recovery from a shoulder injury, Draper was just inside the top 100 at this time last year.
Draper’s rise has been made possible by his ability to remain fit and strengthen himself.
