By Glenys Furness
- Jack Draper wins back to back ATP Challenger titles in Forli
- Battled back from 5-0 down in match tiebreak
- Brit has three ATP Challenger titles this year
FORLI, ITALY – Jack Draper stayed in Italy and entered this weeks Forli Challenger. The Brit was unseeded and took out the second seed en route.
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Brit of the Week
Jack Draper remained in Italy after last weeks title, and entered the Challenger event again. Unseeded Draper drew Jesper De Jong in the first round. The Dutch player got off to the better start and broke the Brit to take the first set. However, Draper fought back in the second set. The Brit broke De Jong and levelled up the match. The final set was a very tight affair, with neither giving an inch. Eventually a tiebreak ensued, this was extremely close but Draper edged through to take the win 4-6, 6-4, 7-6.
In the second round the Brit was against qualifier Gianmarco Ferrari. The Italian had knocked out the second seed in the previous round, so the match would be tough. Draper dominated the first set though, breaking more or less at will. The second set was a little closer, as the Italian managed to get into the match. However, the Brit was able to secure the vital break and move into the next round 6-2, 6-4.
The quarter-final saw the Brit against Michael Mmoh. The American and Brit went toe to toe in the first set, before Mmoh managed to secure the break of serve and move into the lead. Draper re-grouped in the second set, and managed to break Mmoh to level up the match. In the final set Draper dominated as the American faded. Mmoh was unable to get back into the match, Draper moved into the semi-final 5-7, 6-4, 6-2.
In the semi-final Draper was against Mirza Bašić. The Bosnian was no match for the Brit in the first set. Draper dominated and took the lead. The second set was much closer as the Bosnian forced a tiebreak. Draper found Bašić too strong in the breaker and the match was level. However, in the final set, Draper managed to get a break of serve to book a spot in the final 6-2, 6-7, 6-4.
The final saw Draper against qualifier Alexander Ritschard. The American got off to the better start, breaking the Brit to take the lead. Draper re-grouped however, and managed to break Ritschard and level up the match. The final set went to a very dramatic tiebreak. Draper found himself 0-5 down and two points away from losing the title. However, the Brit was not done. Draper pulled the match back and eventually secured his third ATP Challenger title (all from Forli) 3-6, 6-3, 7-6(8).
Honourable Mention
Katie Swan entered the ITF event in Santo Domingo and was the second seed. As a result, the Brit had a bye in the first round. In the second round the Brit was against French player Salma Djoubri. The Brit dominated the match from start to finish. Swan lost only two games the whole match to move into the third round 6-2, 6-0.
The third round saw Swan against Canadian Katherine Sebov. The Canadian dominated the first set, breaking the Brit more or less at will. However, the Brit re-grouped in the second set, breaking Sebov and levelling up the match. The final set saw Swan dominate again and lose only one game to move into the quarter-final 2-6, 6-3, 6-1.
In the quarter-final the Brit was against the eighth seed Joanne Zuger. The Swiss player was outclassed in the first set as Swan dominated. The Brit strolled through the first set and took the lead. The second set was a little bit closer, however Zuger was unable to get into the match and Swan moved into the semi-final 6-1, 6-3.
The semi-final saw Swan against the 11th seed Danielle Lao. The American stayed with the Brit at the start, before Swan managed to get the break of serve and move ahead. The second set was much closer as Lao tried to fight back. It took until right near the end of the set before Swan secured the break and moved into the final 6-4, 7-5.
In the final Swan was against seventh seed Sachia Vickery. The Brit started well, but then suffered a fall. Swan went down fairly heavily, but fortunately managed to get back up. Although broken immediately afterwards, Swan secured the break back and went on to claim the first set. The second set was much easier for Swan, who obviously wanted to get off the court as quick as possible. The Brit claimed Rthe title 6-4, 6-3.
Challenger & ITF Round Up
Ryan Peniston was defeated by Ernests Gulbis in the first round in Pau 3-6, 6-1, 6-3.
Billy Harris was defeated by Alejandro Moro Canas in the quarter-final in Vale Do Lobo 3-6, 6-4, 7-5.
Henry Patten was defeated by Wu Tung-Lin in the second round in Santo Domingo 6-4, 7-6(7).
Blu Baker was defeated by Darian King in the second round in Naples, Florida 6-4, 6-4.
Emilie Lindh was defeated by Eszter Meri in the first round in Monastir 6-1, 6-3.
Next Week Brits play in Portugal, Dominican Republic, Spain, Turkey, Tunisia, Monterrey, Lyon, USA, France & Australia.
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