Jack Draper, at the second Masters 1000 final of the year and career »was imposed in front of Lorenzo Musetti on the slag from Madrid
Article by Luminița Paul – published on Friday, 02 May 2025, 23:30 / Updated on Friday, May 02, 2025 23:30
British Jack Draper (23 years old, 6th place atP) qualified in the last act of Masters 1000 in Madrid, after 6-3, 7-6 (5) against Lorenzo Musetti (23 years, world number 11). The Norwegian Casper Ruud is waiting for the final.
The second semifinal of the Masters 1000 tournament in Madrid started from a direct net favorable score to Jack Draper. The protagonists, both 23 years old, were confronted in competitions during the junior period, and the British had always come out victorious, five out of five.
But what would be in their first duel on the slag, the previous ones dividing between hard and grass? For the first time, it seemed that Lorenzo Musetti had an extra chance. This is even if in Madrid, thanks to altitude, the game is faster compared to Monte Carlo or Rome.
The first set opposed the forceful game of the British of the Italian's stylish one, who sought as much as possible to move his taller and more massive opponent. However, Jack resisted unexpectedly in the defensive, covering ground with large, less aesthetic steps.
It was also more efficient with the first service, which gave it 16 extra percent. After three consecutive breaks from 2-0 to 3-1 for the British, it remained in the forehead and imposed with 6-3after having a set ball in the previous game, on the Italian service.
Shots Like This is why jack draper is in the final 🔥@Mutuamadridopen | #Mmopen pic.twitter.com/eukfwjquqqq
– ATP Tour (@atptour) May 2, 2025
Much more balanced was the second act, one in which Musetti found more elegant and efficient executions. The winning blows of the Italian have multiplied, but Draper responded with his own weapons in an alternation of games mostly controlled on his own service.
A route that could only lead to a logical tie-break. Where the British imposed again, 7-5. Almost without reaction at the end, just a smile and a hug for Lorenzo, after which the discharge followed.
205 km/hwas the average speed at the first service for the British, the Italian placing itself in 195
Jack Draper will play at Madrid his second Masters 1000 final, after the one awarded at Indian Wells and the third last ATP act of the year, giving in to Doha against Andrey Rublev.
I fought from the first to the last ball. I knew I dominated the hard and grass, from the juniors, but I had a doubt, especially with this audience that supported it- Jack Draper
Jack Draper, first meeting with Casper Ruud
It will be the first match between the British and Casper Ruud, the Norwegian imposing himself in the first semifinal, 6-4, 7-5 in front of Francisco Cerundolo. At the same time, the Nordic played with an injury to the coast, feeling a pain and needing 2-1 in the first set of the medical team's intervention.
Draper, who will be 5th in the updated ranking of next month, becomes the second British player, after Andy Murray, who ticks the Masters 1000 finals on both hard and slag.
