Jack Draper has booked his place in the Madrid Open final, where he will face clay court specialist Casper Ruud for the first time.
The Briton defeated Italian Lorenzo Musetti 6-3, 7-6, continuing his flawless tournament run without dropping a set.
Draper cracked the top five at this year’s Madrid Open, becoming the second left-handed player to do so this century, joining Rafael Nadal in an exclusive club of two to complete the feat.
The 23-year-old is searching for his second Masters 1000 title, having clinched his first at Indian Wells in March.
Draper is taking the tennis world by storm at the moment, with some people wondering whether he might be the best player on the planet currently. Former US Open champion Andy Roddick weighed in on the debate.
Photo by Maria Gracia Jimenez/Soccrates/Getty ImagesAndy Roddick says Jack Draper ‘might’ be the third-best player in the world at the moment
Speaking on the Tennis Channel Live Podcast prior to Draper’s semi-final triumph, Andy Roddick said: “Jack Draper is a bad man right now. He is just bullying people around the court. It’s not like irresponsible risk he is doing it with, it’s weight of shot, taking big swings to big zones.”
The old Paul Annacone special, that he harps on over and over. The amount of talk he is getting on his forehand. The ability to create speed while standing behind the baseline. His movement out of the corners is so much better than a year ago.
“His variety to switch directions and get the patterns that he wants to his forehand is so much better than it was a year ago. Respect for Draper for building, building, building. He is here.
“He might be the third best player in the world right now.”
Jack Draper’s stellar run to the Madrid Open final
Draper has enjoyed his best tournament on clay in his career at this year’s Madrid Open.
The new world number five began the tournament in with a commanding victory over Talon Griekspoor 6-3, 6-4.
- First Round vs Talon Grieskpoor: 6-3, 6-4
- Second Round vs Matteo Berrettini: 7-6 (Walkover)
- Third Round vs Tommy Paul: 6-2, 6-2
- Quarter Final vs Matteo Arnaldi: 6-0, 6-4
- Semi-Final vs Lorenzo Musetti: 6-3, 7-6
Draper was then a set to the good in his second-round match against Matteo Berrettini, before the Italian retired due to injury.
Up against the 11th seed Tommy Paul in the third round, Draper earned a statement victory, crushing the American in just 68 minutes.
The Briton then defeated Matteo Arnaldi in the quarter-final, before taking down the Italian’s countryman Lorenzo Musetti to reach the final.
Draper now looks for his fourth tour-level title, and his first on the clay surface.