On-song Draper knocks out struggling Musetti to reach Vienna Open final
Jack Draper defeated Lorenzo Musetti 6-2, 6-4 in the Austrian capital. He’ll meet world No 24 Karen Khachanov in Sunday’s final
Draper and Musetti, Vienna Open, 2024 © Gepa / Panoramic
Jack Draper reached the first ATP 500 final of his career with an impressive victory over Lorenzo Musetti, beating the Italian 6-2, 6-4 in an entertaining semi-final at the Erste Bank Open in Vienna.
It is the Briton’s fourth ATP final and his third in 2024, having finished as runner-up in Adelaide at the start of the season before claiming his maiden title in Stuttgart over the summer.
In a breakthrough year during which he reached a first Grand Slam semi-final at the US Open, victory today marks another impressive milestone in Draper’s ever blossoming career as he progresses to his first 500-level final.
The world No 18 looked sharp and dialled-in from the offset, breaking his opponent in the opening game of the match. Musetti, on the other hand, was far below his usual high standard for much of the contest, with the Italian only showing sporadic flashes of what he is capable of.
He did strike back in the fourth game to restore parity. But Musetti’s serve looked vulnerable throughout as Draper broke again in the fifth and seventh games en route to deservedly taking the first set 6-2.
The Briton again made the first move in the second set, breaking in the third game as his opponent’s struggles intensified. Musetti’s usually potent forehand in particular was frequently malfunctioning, offering up far too many unforced errors – much to the increasing frustration of the Italian.
The world No 17 did elevate his game enough to make for a compelling second set, however. Finding his range again, Musetti pushed Draper hard across the Briton’s next three service games, finally making the breakthrough in the eighth game to move level at 4-4.
Yet it proved short-lived. The exertions of all that sustained pressure took an evident toll in the very next game, as Musetti’s progress was undone in the blink of an eye with a loose ninth game to hand the advantage straight back to his opponent.
Draper duly served out the win from 5-4, sending down an unreturned serve to clinch safe passage into the biggest final of his career.
opportunity knocks in first 500-level final for draper
“I thought the first set was really high level from my side,” the world No 18 said in his on-court interview following victory.
“Lorenzo’s a really tough competitor. I’ve known him since I was really young and to play against him is always difficult. He’s had an incredible season.
“I suppose it’s my biggest final yet. I’ve been in 250 finals. I’d say obviously the Grand Slam semis [in New York] was probably a bigger match than tomorrow.
“But at the same time, to be in the final of a 500, after all the work that I’ve put in this year and after the season I’ve had I’m incredibly grateful and really happy to be in this situation. So, roll on tomorrow.”
Musetti exits Vienna no doubt disappointed with how today’s performance panned out. But, as Draper himself mentioned, it’s been a wonderful season for the young Italian talent, who will end his year with an Olympic bronze medal and three ATP final appearances, whatever happens between now and the close of the season.
Meanwhile, Draper’s irrepressible rise continues. After injury in Tokyo curtailed his fine run of form, he has returned looking fit, strong and very much in-form in the Austrian capital.
As the injury issues of the past couple of years appear to be a thing of the past, new milestones are now being ticked off at an increasing pace.
Sunday’s showpiece against world No 24 Karen Khachanov will be yet more new ground for Draper, with a further chance to rubber-stamp his progress this year by claiming the second ATP title of an ever-burgeoning young career.
