Gb's Draper Beats Musetti To Reach Madrid Open Final

Jack Draper booked his spot successful nan Madrid Open last pinch a hard-fought 6-3 7-6 (7-4) triumph against Lorenzo Musetti.

The British number 1 will title his 3rd ATP last of nan twelvemonth against Norway's Casper Ruud connected Sunday.

Draper, 23, was surgery successful nan opening group but claimed a double break of his ain to travel done comfortably.

It is nan first clip nan 2024 US Open semi-finalist has reached nan last of a clay-court event.

He is nan first Englishman to scope nan last of nan Madrid Open and nan 2nd Briton aft Scotland's Andy Murray, who appeared successful 3 finals and won 2 titles.

Draper is aiming for his 2nd ATP title of nan twelvemonth aft beating Holger Rune astatine Indian Wells successful March.

He has won each 4 meetings pinch Musetti arsenic a master and his cleanable grounds moreover extends backmost to their days successful nan juniors.

That mightiness person been playing connected Musetti's mind successful nan opening stages erstwhile he dropped his first work game.

The Italian struck backmost instantly but was incapable to unit his measurement into nan first group aft a 2nd break arsenic Draper's forehand erstwhile again proved to beryllium a cardinal factor.

Musetti was overmuch improved successful nan 2nd group and it made for a much competitory spectacle.

The Madrid crowd were firmly down Musetti and chanted his sanction successful nan 5th crippled aft a perfectly placed driblet changeable near Draper scrambling.

Both players refused to budge connected service - each redeeming 1 break constituent - earlier heading to a tie-break.

Again, it proved to beryllium a tense conflict but Draper earned a break connected nan 5th constituent to bargain power and went connected to service retired for triumph - finishing pinch an charismatic cross-court backhand.