Jack Draper caps brilliant year by becoming first Briton to qualify for Next Gen ATP Finals
It was a good news-bad news day for Jack Draper on Wednesday as he punched a ticket to the Next Gen ATP Finals before losing in the second round of the European Open.
The 20-year-old became the first Briton to qualify for the season-ending tournament and he will join Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti and Norway’s Holger Rune in the field. The eight top ranked players 21 and under in the ATP Rankings qualify for the event at Milan’s Allianz Cloud from November 8-12.
Draper started the year at No 265, but he is sitting at No 48 after reaching his maiden ATP semi-final at Eastbourne in June while he also made it to the quarter-final of the ATP Masters 1000 Canadian Open in August.
After failing to qualify for the first two Grand Slams of the year, Draper made it to round two at Wimbledon and round three at the US Open while some of his big scalps this year include Stefanos Tsitsipas and Felix Auger-Aliassime – the first top 10 wins over his career.
The Briton also won four ATP Challenger Tour events as he won three titles in Forli, Italy, at the start of the year before adding the Saint-Brieuc Challenger trophy to his collection in France in April.
On Wednesday his Antwerp journey came to an end as the experience of top seed Hubert Hurkacz told as the Pole secured a 7-6 (7-5), 6-7 (5-7), 6-1 win in two hours and 40 minutes to keep his ATP Finals hopes alive.
After no breaks of serve in the first set, Hurkacz edged the tie-breaker. They exchanged breaks midway through the second set before Draper drew level with another tie-breaker. However, the Pole ran away with the match in the decider.
Hurkacz is currently on 2,770 points in the Race for Turin live rankings, just 295 adrift of Auger-Aliassime, who currently occupies the final spot.
Hurkacz awaits the winner of the Dominic Thiem-Francisco Cerundolo clash. 2020 US Open champion Thiem beat Michael Geerts 6-4, 6-0 while Cerundolo was a 5-7, 7-6 (7-3), 6-3 winner over Marc-Andrea Hüsler.
Fifth seed Dan Evans also reached the quarter-final after the British No 2 defeated Constant Lestienne 6-2, 6-1 and he could face second seed Auger-Aliassime next, but the Canadian first has to get the better of lucky loser Manual Guinard on Thursday.
There were also wins for Yoshihito Nishioka, who defeated Jaume Munar 6-1, 7-6 (7-3), and Richard Gasquet. Frenchman Gasquet secured a 7-6 (7-5), 7-5 win over Dominic Stricker.
READ MORE: Record prize money pot confirmed for ATP Finals as race to Turin heats up
Latest
-
Tennis News
Andy Murray issues ‘very disappointing’ injury update as he pulls out of two tournaments
“This is very disappointing news for Andy and he has reiterated his desire to get back on court as soon as possible.”
-
Tennis News
Elena Rybakina addresses Roger Federer trait she shares and makes confession about Miami run
“I think it’s just the character, but also if sometimes you can notice that I’m also negative.”
-
Tennis News
Carlos Alcaraz candidly admits how Grigor Dimitrov made him feel in Miami masterclass
“I was talking to my team saying that I don’t know what I have to do. I don’t know his weakness.”
-
ATP Tour
Carlos Alcaraz forced to accept brutal reality as he slumps to shock Miami Open defeat
Carlos Alcaraz could have no complaints as he was forced to accept the brutal reality that he was beaten by a better player.
-
Tennis News
Alexander Zverev just happy to be back competing against the best
Alexander Zverev has said that he savours being competitive in big tournaments.
-
Tennis News
WTA star announces that she is expecting a baby girl
Alison Riske-Amritraj will be having a daughter.
-
ATP Tour
Jannik Sinner breaks new ground for an Italian player with $20 million milestone
Jannik Sinner will become the first Italian player to bank $20 million in ATP Tour prize money after the Miami Open.
-
Tennis News
Carlos Alcaraz identifies key Grigor Dimitrov threat as he seeks revenge in Miami showdown
Carlos Alcaraz and Grigor Dimitrov have looked ahead to their Miami Open match.
-
WTA Tour
Charleston Open hand former No 1 wildcard to start her clay season
Wildcards were forthcoming for former world No 1 Caroline Wozniacki, world No 13 Beatriz Haddad Maia, and Charleston-native Shelby Rogers.
-
Tennis News
Former world No 1 weighs in on Iga Swiatek’s ‘aura’ as he makes ‘intimidating’ claim
“The more accomplishments Iga Swiatek has, the more intimidating it is to play her.”