Jack Draper pinpointed the major improvement he’s made that’s helped cause his recent title success and ranking rise.
The British number one advanced to the second round of the Paris Masters with a straight-sets victory over Czech player Jiri Lehecka.
Fresh off winning the biggest title of his career in Vienna on Sunday, Jack Draper secured a 7-5, 6-2 win in just over an hour.
The first set stayed on serve until Draper made a decisive break in the 11th game. In the second set, Draper took control, winning five consecutive games to close out the match.
The 22-year-old, who reached his first Grand Slam semi-final at the US Open last month, climbed to a career-high ranking of 15 this week.
A thrilling contest awaits with Draper set to play American fifth seed Taylor Fritz on Wednesday.
Jack Draper highlights ‘key’ change that’s enabled recent success
On Sunday, Draper claimed the biggest title of his career at the Vienna Open, pushing his extraordinary breakout season to dizzying heights.
The British number one delivered an impressive performance to defeat Russia’s Karen Khachanov 6-4, 7-5 in the final, coming back from a bizarre lapse in the second set.
This victory marks Draper’s second tour-level title, following his win in Stuttgart earlier this season.
Just a year ago, the 22-year-old was ranked just inside the top 100 as he worked his way back from a shoulder injury.
Speaking of his recent success to Sky Sports, reporters quizzed Draper on his much improved serve.
“Really hard,” the Brit said of the work he’s been putting in. “The most important shots in the men’s game are always serve, return. And my first serve percentage has been pretty low in general but when I make my first serve it’s usually a pretty high win percentage.
“I have been working on my rhythm and just the consistency of the serve and that has been a real key recently in my success,” he revealed.
What is Jack Draper’s record against Taylor Fritz?
The pair have faced off twice this year, with both matches going to three sets. The American currently leads the head-to-head 2-1.
| Year | Event | Winner | Score |
| 2024 | Paris Olympics (R32) | Taylor Fritz | 6-7(3), 6-3, 6-2 |
| 2024 | Munich (QF) | Taylor Fritz | 4-6, 6-3, 7-6(1) |
| 2022 | Queen’s (R32) | Jack Draper | 6-3, 6-2 |
Both big hitters, Draper has lost both his matches against Fritz from a set advantage.
With the American having received a bye in his opening round, while he will arguably be more fresh, his form after there US Open has been slightly wayward.
The in-form Brit certainly has a chance here to continue the American’s recent woes.
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