By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Saturday October 26, 2024

Jack Draper just hits different in 2024. Buoyed by a new level of physicality and maturity, the 22-year-old Brit has been a steadily rising force on tour this season. He continued his push on Saturday in Vienna with a 6-2, 6-4 win over Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti to reach his maiden 500 final.

Draper, up to a career-high No.15 in the ATP live rankings, became the fourth British player to reach the Vienna final, and the first since Andy Murray in 2016.



Draper took advantage of a lackluster performance from Musetti and stepped out to a healthy set and break lead before the World No.17 could get his teeth into the match. But Musetti’s opportunity passed quickly after he broke to level at 4-4 in the second set. He tossed in an erratic service game and quickly lost eight of the final 10 points as Draper claimed his victory in one hour and 47 minutes.



In Saturday’s second semifinal, Karen Khachanov continued his winning ways with a 6-2, 6-4 win over second-seeded Alex de Minaur. Last week’s Almaty champion broke the Aussie four times and needed just 90 minutes to lock up his eighth consecutive win. The World No.24 will bid for his eighth career title on Sunday in his fourth career meeting with Draper.

De Minaur was hoping to climb into a tie for eighth in the Race to Turin standings, but ends the week in ninth, 165 points behind eighth-placed Andrey Rublev in the standings.

Khachanov holds the 2-1 lifetime edge over Draper but it was Draper who prevailed in their last meeting.

Draper is bidding for his second ATP title, after winning Stuttgart on the grass in June.