British star Jack Draper has been labelled one of the ‘best players in the world’ by Lorenzo Musetti after beating the Italian to make the final of the Madrid Open. Draper, 23, set the tone by breaking the Italian in his opening service game before going on to win 6-3 7-6 (7-4).
Draper will now contest the third ATP final of his career against Casper Ruud on Sunday. He now also has the opportunity to win the seventh title of his career, and his first on clay, as he builds towards this month’s French Open. Furthermore, he’s only the second player from the UK to reach the final in the Spanish capital since Andy Murray was beaten by Novak Djokovic in 2016.
Afterwards, Musetti was full of praise for his rival, and put him at the same level – or perhaps even higher than Novak Djokovic and co. He said: “I have to say that Jack, at the moment, I think he’s probably, if not the best player in the world, one of them. So really happy to be sharing the court, and to see how far or how close I am.”
The admission that he was pleased just to be on the same court as Draper is a testament to his opponent’s growing reputation. Having reached the US Open semi-finals last year, he’s now ranked at a career-high No.6 in the world and will break into the top five next week regardless of the result on Sunday.
Musetti’s praise comes as Draper is being compared to the likes of Novak Djokovic at the top level of the sport. Indeed, many believe he is now a stronger force than the 24-time Grand Slam champion, who went out in the first round in Madrid.
Draper already won at Indian Wells in March this year, beating Holger Rune to lift the title. Following his fourth straight win over Musetti, he admitted the clash had been intense against an opponent he knows well.
“It felt like a key moment every point,” said Draper. “The level was high from both of us. I’ve played Lorenzo all through the juniors and it has always been tough but he is a different animal on the clay.”
Draper also hailed his ability to come through on the big points, adding: “Sometimes in the key moments now I think about the pain I go through on a daily basis – all the sacrifices.”
World No.15 Ruud, 26, reached the final with a 6-4 7-5 win over Argentinian player Francisco Cerundolo. Like Draper, the two-time French Open finalist is appearing in his first final in Madrid.
Content Source: www.express.co.uk