Tennis: Jack Draper makes first ATP 500 final of career

Britain’s Jack Draper has executed one of the most impressive victories of his career over Lorenzo Musetti to make a maiden ATP 500-level final in Vienna on Saturday.

The 6-2, 6-4 win over Italy’s Musetti catapults Draper up to No.15 in the world, after the 22-year-old was ranked No.91 this time last year.

He will face Karen Khachanov in the final, after the Russian overcame Australia’s Alex de Minaur in the day’s other semi-final.

“I suppose it’s my biggest final yet,” Draper said of his clash against Khachanov in the Vienna Open on Sunday.

“I’ve been in 250 finals.

“I’d say obviously the Grand Slam semi-finals (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.”

Draper struck an impressive eight aces and 28 winners in his semi-final against Musetti, in what was a gritty, physical match that went close to the two-hour mark despite only being 18 games long.

“I thought the first set was a really high level from my side,” he continued.

“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.”

Tennis bookmakers have Draper as the favourite to prevail against Khachanov, installing the Brit at -163.93 to win, compared to the Russian’s odds of +130.

Should Draper win in Vienna, then the 22-year-old will still have an outside chance of finishing the year inside the world’s top 10, provided he makes a deep run at the Paris Masters next week.

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