Jack Draper admitted he lost to the “better player” after losing his second ATP Tour final at the Adelaide International. The British No.4, 22, was seeking to become the youngest British man to win a title since Andy Murray in 2009.
But despite taking the first set, new world no.23 Jiri Lehecka battled back to win 4-6 6-4 6-3 and claim his first ATP title. Draper told the Czech: “I was trying to do the same but you were the better player and you deserved it. Congratulations.”
The left-hander, who climbs up to world No.55, lost his first ATP final to Adrian Mannarino at the Sofia Open in November. But after missing Wimbledon last year with a shoulder injury, Draper has brought his strong end to 2023 into the new year before facing American Marcos Giron in the first round of the Australian Open.
Joe Salisbury and his American partner Rajeev Ram won the Adelaide doubles title by beating Rohan Bopanna and Matthew Ebden 7-5 5-7 11-9. It is a great way to start the year,” said the Londoner.
British No.1 Cam Norrie is in a race against time to get fit for his opening Australian Open tie against Peruvian world No.80 Juan Pablo Varillas after pulling out of the ASB Classic in Auckland with a wrist injury. “Luckily I’m scheduled to play on Tuesday, so I have a few more days,” said the world No.19.
“I couldn’t play Auckland, so I was obviously concerned. But, yeah, we’re managing it with my team. It was better today, which is positive.”
Should he make it to the court, it will be the second time that the 2022 Wimbledon semi-finalist as faced Pablo Varillas. Their first meeting however, which Norrie won in straight sets on clay in Buenos Aires, is unlikely to have much bearing on this clash.
Jack Draper admitted he lost to the “better player” after losing his second ATP Tour final at the Adelaide International. The British No.4, 22, was seeking to become the youngest British man to win a title since Murray in 2009.
The 28-year-old is yet to make the second week at Melbourne Park, reaching the third round in 2023. That equalled his career best, but ironically is was Lehecka – the man to beat Draper in Adelaide – who ended his run by fighting back to win in five sets.
He has been seeded 19th for the first Grand Slam of the year, which Norrie hopes will prove the catalyst to start climbing back up the rankings after dropping outside the top 10 last year. Like Draper, his first-round match is scheduled for Tuesday.
