Jack Draper, the British men's No. 1, showcased his competitive spirit at the Qatar Open, successfully securing his spot in the finals with a hard-fought three-set victory over Jiri Lehecka. Draper triumphed with scores of 3-6, 7-6 (2), 6-3, demonstrating resilience and determination.
Set to face the world No. 10, Andrey Rublev, Draper’s performance on Friday evening highlighted his capability to rally back when things get tough. The final match will occur on Saturday, as Draper seeks to clinch his third ATP title, something he's been eyeing fiercely.
His semifinal opponent, Jiri Lehecka, who stunned world No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz earlier in the tournament, initially took the lead against Draper. The young Brit, 23, persevered, switching gears after losing the first set, proving the depths of his competitive nature. Draper reflected on overcoming the challenge, saying, “I thought in the first set I put in a sloppy game.”
Despite falling behind, Draper managed to recover and level the match following the second-set tiebreak. The turning point seemed to come as Draper noted, “I felt more and more positive about my tennis, physically I felt I was getting stronger as the match went on.” He turned the pressure onto Lehecka, breaking serve multiple times to claim victory after two hours and 21 minutes.
Earlier this week, Draper had overcome Matteo Berrettini to reach the semifinals, marking his return to competitive tennis following injury setbacks. His latest matches displayed impressive form, maintaining his momentum to secure wins against tough competition.
Looking forward to facing Rublev, Draper acknowledged the significance of this match both personally and professionally. He aims to reverse his previous losses; having been defeated by Rublev in their last three meetings, Draper is entering this final with renewed determination and sharp skills.
“I’m definitely a different player since I last played him,” Draper stated confidently, reflecting on his evolution both as a player and competitor. “But at the end of the day he’s a top 10 player, and someone I respect massively.”
For Draper, this final is not just about securing another title; it's also about proving himself against formidable opponents and demonstrating his growth on the ATP tour. His momentum earlier this season, including winning the title at the Vienna ATP 500, gives him confidence as he heads to the final.
This year, Draper has been on fire, with an overall record of 7-1 and remaining unbeaten across completed matches since the start of the season. Post Australian Open, where he retired due to injury, Draper has regrouped, emphasizing his fitness through rigorous training and practice sessions.
Reflecting on his comeback, Draper shared insights on regaining confidence, stating, “I went back to training and I worked really hard with my coach and fitness trainer. I am just glad I am able to find a higher level this week and compete effectively.”
The upcoming face-off against Rublev promises to be electric, with both players bringing strong performances to the court. Draper is prepared and enthusiastic, saying he looks forward to the match as well as what’s to come.
With the title up for grabs, tennis fans can expect high stakes and high-level play as Draper and Rublev meet on the hard courts of Doha.