Jack Draper, a young British tennis talent, has secured his spot in the first ATP 500 final of his career at the Vienna Open. The 22-year-old delivered an impressive performance in the semi-final, where he defeated Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti with a convincing 6-2, 6-4 victory. The match lasted just under two hours, clocking in at one hour and 48 minutes. This win takes Draper to his fourth ATP final overall, but more notably, his first at the prestigious ATP 500 level. With this feat, Draper joins an elite group of British players who have reached the Vienna final, including Greg Rusedski, Tim Henman, and Andy Murray. Regardless of the outcome in the final, Draper will break into the ATP top-15 rankings for the first time on Monday—a significant milestone in his young career.
Draper’s match against Musetti showcased his skill and consistency, especially during high-pressure moments. Notably, Draper claimed his third consecutive indoor-court victory over Musetti, demonstrating his command on this surface. After establishing an early lead with a 6-2, 4-2 advantage, Draper faced resistance from Musetti but ultimately sealed the victory with a crucial late break in the second set.
### Draper’s Dominant Statistics Against Musetti
The seventh-seeded Draper dominated the statistics in his clash with sixth-seeded Musetti. Draper won 18 more points than his Italian opponent and outperformed Musetti on his first serve, a critical factor in the match’s outcome. Both players encountered difficulties with their second serves, but Draper proved more effective in key moments. The Brit successfully defended eight out of ten break points and converted five out of his eleven break opportunities, showcasing his resilience and mental strength.
Draper’s shot-making was also on point; he finished the match with 28 winners against 22 unforced errors, maintaining a balanced and aggressive approach. Musetti, on the other hand, struggled to keep up, with a less favorable 14-30 ratio, and was often overpowered by Draper’s baseline game. Draper excelled in both the shortest and more extended rallies, holding a strategic advantage throughout the match. His ability to control the flow of the game allowed him to dictate the pace and set the stage for his upcoming title clash against Russia’s Karen Khachanov.
### A Strong Start Propels Draper in the First Set
Draper came out strong in the opening set, breaking Musetti’s serve three times to establish a commanding 6-2 lead. Musetti’s early forehand miscue handed Draper a break right from the first game, setting the tone for the rest of the set. Draper faced a minor setback when Musetti broke back at 2-2, thanks to a well-placed backhand down the line. However, Draper quickly regained control, breaking Musetti again in the fifth game as the Italian faltered under Draper’s pressure. A series of steady holds kept Draper ahead, and he continued to push on Musetti’s serve, capitalizing on his opponent’s errors to secure a third break. Draper eventually closed out the set with a service winner on his third set point, taking the lead 6-2 after a solid 40-minute display.
### A Tighter Second Set and Draper’s Decisive Late Break
The second set saw Musetti put up more resistance, but Draper maintained his composure. Draper secured an early break in the second set’s third game with a backhand down-the-line winner on his fourth break point, putting him up by a set and a break. He then withstood a challenging fourth game, where he fought through five deuces and three break points, eventually holding his serve for a 4-2 lead. Musetti, determined to stay in the match, saved two break points in the seventh game and then broke Draper in the eighth game to level the score at 4-4, creating some late-match drama. However, Draper responded quickly, breaking Musetti again in the following game after a forehand error by the Italian. With a 5-4 lead, Draper confidently served out the match, closing it with another service winner to secure his spot in the final.
### Karen Khachanov Awaits Draper in the Final
In the final, Draper will face Russia’s Karen Khachanov, who has been in remarkable form recently. Khachanov claimed an indoor title in Almaty the previous week and is now aiming for back-to-back ATP titles. In his semi-final match, Khachanov defeated top-10 player Alex de Minaur with a commanding 6-2, 6-4 win in just an hour and a half. This victory marked Khachanov’s tenth ATP final and his most prominent since reaching the Tokyo Olympics final in 2021. His form has been impressive, with nine aces and a solid performance on both his first and second serves against de Minaur. Khachanov faced only one challenging service game in which he defended two break points and ultimately converted nearly half of his return points into breaks, showing his formidable presence on the court.
### Khachanov’s Route to Victory
Khachanov started his semi-final match aggressively, claiming an early break in the first game and maintaining a 4-2 lead with consistent holds. He broke de Minaur’s serve again in the seventh game after the Australian netted a forehand, closing out the first set 6-2 with an ace. In the second set, de Minaur initially resisted, saving a break point early on, but ultimately failed to keep up with Khachanov’s relentless pressure. A forehand error in the fifth game gave Khachanov a decisive break, and he continued to control the rallies with powerful groundstrokes. Despite a brief stumble when serving for the match, Khachanov regrouped and won the match with a forehand winner to book his place in the final against Draper.
The upcoming final promises to be an exciting clash, with Draper chasing his first ATP 500 title and Khachanov aiming for consecutive indoor titles. Draper’s consistent baseline play and confidence on indoor courts will be tested against Khachanov’s recent surge in form. With both players in strong shape, the Vienna Open final is set to deliver high-quality tennis and possibly mark a significant career milestone for either competitor.