By Tony Fairbairn
- Jack Draper def Alexander Bublik [8] 7-6(2) 6-4
- Draper v Jiri Lehecka [7] | H2H: First Meeting
ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – Jack Draper is into his second consecutive ATP tour final after defeating Alexander Bublik in straight sets and will now play Jiri Lehecka for the Adelaide title.
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Jack Draper def Alexander Bublik [8] 7-6(2) 6-4
Jack Draper is into his second consecutive ATP final after defeating Alexander Bublik in straight sets. This match was always going to be far from easy as Bublik’s eccentric style of play can throw the best players off their game. However Draper made the perfect start as some deep returns forced errors into the net from Bublik, with the Brit taking a 2-0 lead.
That break of serve was the start of four consecutive breaks for the returner as both players failed to be effective when it really mattered. The Kazakh produced some good variety as well as power to outsmart Draper and the eighth seed came back from a break down twice to level the set at 3-3.
The Brit’s frustration was visible as some of his trademark baseline shots missed its target and he was starting to lose the momentum that was built in the opening few games. There was a good turnaround from Draper though as he produced proactive and attacking tennis, taking the match to Bublik as he refused to give up.
As Draper continued to apply the pressure on return, Bublik continued to elevate his level on serve with powerful first serves that helped him get out of trouble. A few unforced errors at crucial moments prevented Draper breaking for the set as the opening set went to a tiebreak. After a tight start to the tiebreak, Draper raced ahead with a mixture of variety and power as a forehand cross-court winner sealed the tiebreak 7-2 as he claimed the opening set in an hour.
In the second set, Bublik reverted to his exhibition-style tennis that made him such a fan favourite as a couple of underarm serves mixed with flawless power saw him take a 2-1 lead with Draper shaking his hand in approval at the change of ends. Although Bublik’s mood seemed to have been more relaxed after that game of madness, the Kazakh lost his intensity which allowed Draper to capitalize as he gained the crucial break for a 3-2 lead.
That change in momentum was never really lost for Draper as he powered through his service games and a mature performance was complete with one last service hold to love as he reached his second career ATP final.
Jack Draper v Jiri Lehecka [7] H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Jack Draper v Jiri Lehecka [7] | H2H: First Meeting |
| ATP Adelaide 2024 | Adelaide, Australia |
| Hard (O) | Prize Money: $58,720/$100,665 |
| Second on Centre Court (Not before 05:30 GMT) | Sky/Now TV <- Subscription Required |
Draper will now face Jiri Lehecka for the Adelaide title as he looks for his first career ATP tour title.
Tale of the Tape – Key Stats (2023)
| H2H: | Jack Draper (WR 62) | Jiri Lehecka (WR 32) |
| Tournament Previous Best | Semi-Final (2023) | N/A |
| 1st Serve % | 60 | 64.5 |
| Service Games Won % | 86.1 | 80.9 |
| Break Points Saved % | 70.4 | 61.9 |
| 2nd Serve Return Points Won % | 53.2 | 47.5 |
| Break Points Converted % | 46.2 | 38.8 |
Draper’s returning efficiency will prove vital in this match against a player like Lehecka who has a tricky left-handed serve that will be difficult to neutralize.
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Playing Styles and Prediction
Lehecka had a breakthrough season last year as he climbed up the rankings by 50 places, causing problems to multiple players last season. The Czech Republican is an aggressive player who is proactive and loves to finish points early but isn’t too afraid to take the longer route either. Now Lehecka looks to surge into the world’s top 20 by the end of the season.
Draper will look to make deep returns as well as dictate play on the forehand as he will hope to be steadier on serve in the early stage of the match. Meanwhile, Lehecka will look to be aggressive on serve as he will aim to be clinical at the net as he aims to put Draper under pressure from the start of the match. This will be a match between two aggressive players who will do everything in their power to claim a maiden ATP title. Draper is slight favourite for this match as long as he can keep his composure and continue to be aggressive in the big moments.
Prediction: Draper in three sets.
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