On the eve of the Australian Open, one of the best weeks of Jack Draper’s young career continued with a 6-4, 7-6 (7-3) win over Karen Khachanov to reach the semi-finals of the Adelaide ATP 250 event.
Draper’s victory sets up his second career ATP semi-final after his first in Eastbourne last June. Having defeated two successive seeds in Adelaide, Draper has offered himself a great opportunity to contest his first ATP final. He will next face either Mikael Ymer, a qualifier, or lucky loser Kwon Soonwoo.
Khachanov has proven a difficult opponent for Draper in his short time on the tour. Last year, with the match tied at one set all, Draper retired from his US Open third round match with a leg injury. The pair then played last week in the first of consecutive tournaments in Adelaide, with Khachanov winning in straight sets.
Every match Draper contests at this stage of his career is an opportunity to learn and grow. On Thursday, the 21 year-old immediately bounced back by producing a brilliant performance, serving well and overpowering Khachanov from the baseline.
“I was really proud of the way I performed, especially after the way I performed last week,” said Draper. “I lost to him and he was way too good. I felt a bit down after that because he was just too good. There were tight moments at the end of the second [set] and mentally I had to come through, I was pleased with the way I dealt with it.”
After easing to a 6-4, 5-3 lead, Draper stuttered briefly, losing serve for the first time at 5-4 and eventually trailing 5-6 and 15-30 on his serve. But he composed himself to hold serve and played a brilliant tiebreak to take the match.
“After I lost last week my coach got me out on court and he said, ‘Jack, you have got to hit the ball harder than this.’ That I need to take my game to the next level by imposing my game a little bit more and being braver, especially in attack.”
During these early days of Draper’s career, his biggest obstacle has often been his own body and the numerous physical issues he has suffered. His contest with Khachanov at Flushing Meadows, where he played extremely well until succumbing to a leg injury, underlined his struggles.
Still, when Draper has been healthy, his record against the best players is excellent. Draper has now compiled six top-20 wins since his first against Taylor Fritz in June and he is 6-4 against the top 20 in this period.
Draper will rise to around 38th in the ATP rankings with this victory, although he faces the toughest of assignments in the opening round at Melbourne Park after being pitted against top seed Rafael Nadal.
On Friday, he will face a different challenge in Adelaide. Rather than rising to the level of higher-ranked opponents, he will have to handle the pressure and tension in a match he will be heavily favoured to win.
“I’m just thinking one match at a time,” said Draper. “Tomorrow will be tough again and I’m just happy to be here at an amazing tournament. Great crowds last two weeks and I feel very grateful to play on the court.”