Jack Draper misses huge rankings chance after nailbiting Munich loss
Jack Draper missed the chance to set a new career-high ranking on the ATP Tour after a narrow loss to Taylor Fritz in Munich.
World No 46 Draper fought tooth and nail against Fritz – an opponent 31 places above him in the ATP Rankings – but ultimately fell to a 4-6, 6-3, 7-6(1) loss to his American opponent.
It was another tough result for Draper, who has now tasted defeat in a final set tiebreak in his last three matches, after similar losses to Hubert Hurkacz in Monte Carlo and Nicolas Jarry in Miami.
And, while he is currently set to move back up the rankings slightly – after dropping six spots last week – he has missed the chance to return to the top 40.
Draper is currently 41st in the ATP live rankings but victory in his match against Fritz would have put him back inside the top 40, and potentially within touching distance of his career-high of world No 37.
A run to a first ATP title would have potentially put him just outside the top 30 and while that may have been challenging considering the strong field in Munich, winning today would have hugely boosted his chances of being seeded at the French Open.
Taylor Fritz beats Jack Draper to reach the semi-final in Munich!
So close from the Brit, but what a great show of quality pic.twitter.com/IsI7Q0SMJ2
— Sky Sports Tennis (@SkySportsTennis) April 19, 2024
Only two more tournaments – the Masters 1000 events in Madrid and Rome – will contribute towards the rankings ahead of Roland Garros, with the seedings made based on the rankings post-Rome, which concludes a week before the event.
With it being unlikely that Draper will be seeded at either Masters 1000 event – barring withdrawals – he could well face much higher-ranked opponents early on at both tournaments.
That could scupper his chances of producing a strong run at one or both events and could mean he remains unseeded at the second Grand Slam of 2024.
However, having skipped both Masters events through injury 12 months ago, he does have the advantage of having no rankings points to defend, which is a luxury some of his rankings rivals will not have.
Meanwhile, while it was disappointment for Draper, this run will come as a much-needed boost for Fritz.
The American suffered an opening-round defeat in Monte Carlo last week and will be pleased to pick up some much-needed form on his least favourite surface.
And he has also been handed a slight rankings boost thanks to his victory on Friday, with a return to US No 1 now assured.
Currently world No 15, Fritz will move up at least one spot next Monday – knocking current American No 1 Ben Shelton down to 15th.
