Jack Draper defeats Karen Khachanov for his first ATP 500 title in Vienna

Jack Draper overcame a challenging second set to secure victory at the Vienna Open, defeating Karen Khachanov with a score of 6-4, 7-5 on Sunday.

This triumph represents Draper's second title overall and his inaugural win at an ATP 500 event, following his previous victory at the ATP 250 tournament in Stuttgart in June.

"Winning my first ATP 500 feels absolutely incredible," Draper remarked, noting that he will enter the top 15 rankings for the first time in his career.

"I am extremely happy and proud of both myself and my team. I intend to savor this moment."

After a strong start in the first set and establishing a 4-0 lead in the second, Draper faced a sudden challenge as the 28-year-old Russian, who had recently won the Almaty tournament, surged ahead by winning five consecutive games.

However, Draper managed to regain his composure and ultimately closed out the set, becoming the first player to win the tournament on his debut since fellow Briton Andy Murray in 2014.

"I was playing exceptionally well, and then the momentum shifted," Draper explained.

"Honestly, I didn’t feel particularly nervous or tense. I simply missed a few shots and made some poor decisions, while Karen elevated his game.

"That speaks volumes about his quality. He is a fighter and is in excellent form.

"It became quite tense, but I maintained my composure and a positive mindset. Fortunately, I was able to prevail. It was a relief."

Draper had previously defeated world number 17 Lorenzo Musetti in the semi-finals with a score of 6-2, 6-4 on Saturday, and he lost only one set throughout the tournament.

SportsLigue