Jack Draper, aged 22, achieved a significant milestone in his tennis career by advancing to his maiden grass-court final at the Stuttgart Open. In a commanding performance on Saturday, he defeated Brandon Nakashima in straight sets, asserting his dominance with a 6-3, 6-3 victory.
Draper exhibited exceptional control throughout the match, never facing a break point on his own serve while capitalizing on three occasions to break Nakashima’s serve.
Reflecting on his achievement, Draper expressed his elation at reaching the final and praised Nakashima as a formidable opponent. He described the experience of competing at such a high level as immensely gratifying. With this win, Draper is poised to ascend in the ATP rankings, surpassing Cameron Norrie to become the new British No. 1, a milestone he described as a long-held ambition.
Looking ahead to the final, Draper is set to face Matteo Berrettini, a two-time Wimbledon runner-up, on Sunday. The prospect of competing for the title against such a seasoned player presents a new challenge and opportunity for Draper to further establish himself on the international stage.
He expressed his determination to continue performing at his best and to represent British tennis with pride, aiming to carry forward the momentum from his impressive run in Stuttgart.
Jack Draper’s breakthrough into the Stuttgart Open final marks a pivotal moment in his career, highlighting his skill and potential on grass courts. With a decisive victory over Nakashima, he not only secured a place in the final but also positioned himself to achieve a significant career milestone by potentially claiming the title and becoming the new British No. 1.