Jack Draper is into his first clay-court semifinal and the ATP Top 5. Photo credit: Rob Stone/@RobStoneTennis
Thriving from desert to dirt, Jack Draper is an imposing all-surface threat.
Indian Wells champion Draper swept to a double Madrid milestone today rising into the ATP Top 5 and his first Tour-level clay-court semifinal.
A dynamic Draper defeated Matteo Arnaldi 6-0, 6-4 flying into the Mutua Madrid Open semifinals and surpassing Novak Djokovic to rise to a career-high No. 5 in the rankings.
The left-handed Draper dictated play winning 11 of 14 second-serve points. Draper did not face a break point in a confident 77-minute win that propels him into history.
Draper joins former No. 1 Andy Murray, former No. 4 Tim Henman and former No. 4 Greg Rusedski as the fourth British man in Open Era history to crack the Top 5.
Indian Wells champion Draper swept to a double Madrid milestone today rolling into the ATP Top 5 and his first Tour-level clay-court semifinal.
“I feel stronger every time I play,” Draper told Sky Sports in his post-match interview. “The last couple of years coming onto the clay I felt against these guys I’d always be the one on the back foot, I’d always be the one defending.
“The next part of my game was just getting strong, getting more capable physically to do the things I know I can do and bully these guys. My forehand is doing a lot of damage and I want to keep it up.”
The fifth-seeded Draper has not dropped a set in tournament wins over Tallon Griekspoor, Matteo Berrettini, Tommy Paul and Arnaldi.