Deep in the second set of his Vienna Open final against Karen Khachanov on Sunday, the complexion of the contest had dramatically changed. For more than an hour, Draper was flawless, winners streaming from his racket as he methodically compiled a 6-4, 4-0 lead. But then he hit a wall. Five games later, Khachanov, tenacious as ever, stood two points from forcing a final set.
Down 4-5, 15-30, Draper landed a sliding lefty first serve out wide before forcing himself inside the baseline and ending an ultra-attacking point with a sweet angled crosscourt backhand winner. He then closed out one of the most significant service games of his career with more first serves and more relentless aggression, wrestling the contest back in his favour and winning his first ATP 500 title.
Throughout his stellar week in Vienna, Draper was fearless under pressure in the important moments, a stark contrast to the start of the season when so many of his matches ended with 7-6 or 7-5 final-set losses.
"That's confidence, playing lots of matches, maybe understanding what I must do in those moments a bit more and not panic," he says before his Paris Masters campaign begins today.
Denne historien er fra October 29, 2024-utgaven av The Guardian.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra October 29, 2024-utgaven av The Guardian.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Peace deal
What will the agreement entail?
'I felt the scapegoat' Bellingham laments media treatment on England duty
Jude Bellingham has said he felt the \"whole world crumbling down on me\" after being mistreated and made a scapegoat for England's defeat in the European Championship final.
United spent £8.6m sacking staff in drive to cut costs
Manchester United spent £8.6m on redundancies in the first quarter of its financial year due to Sir Jim Ratcliffe's drive to reduce the workforce from around 1,000 by 250, the club's latest accounts show.
Slot says contract dispute may be bringing best out of Salah
Khephren Thuram on his father Lilian's activism, what Thierry Henry always told him, and facing Aston Villa
Saka leads Arsenal's charge to blast away doubts on the road in Europe
This was some response to charges of being shot shy. Arsenal's lack of cutting edge on foreign trips had been the pre-match talking point but it turned out they had saved up a hiding for the continent's form team.
City stunned by late fightback as Guardiola's winless run goes on
Manchester City's losing sequence is over - just. But they are still a listing ship that can go down at any moment.
Kerr breaks new ground coaching men at Hearts
Shelley Kerr will lead male player development at the Edinburgh club
'He's a cool cat' Special Bethell ready to pounce on Test debut
Test debutant has impressed everyone from a young age but can he carry off batting at No 3 against New Zealand?
West Brom deny Isidor and hold out for draw
Sunderland extended their unbeaten run to 10 games but, as the smattering of gentle boos that greeted the final whistle testified, it was most certainly not a cause for celebration on Wearside.
George in the groove and ready to rock for England
Manchester United left-back was never going to let rehab end her dream and hopes for a Wembley bow against USA
