But after a year in which the British No 1 has diligently worked his way towards the top of his game, this time he was ready. He clinched his biggest title yet with a brilliant exhibition of his potential and resilience, dominating much of his match against Karen Khachanov before holding off a late surge to win the Vienna Open with a supreme 6-4, 7-5 victory.
It marks Draper's second career ATP title, after his maiden triumph at the Stuttgart Open on grass this year, and his first ATP 500 title. He will rise to a career high of No 15 from his current world ranking of 18, a significant milestone that will take him into a higher seeding bracket in the many significant tournaments to come.
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Denne historien er fra October 28, 2024-utgaven av The Guardian.
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