Draper beats Berrettini for 1st career ATP title

Tennis

Great Britain’s Jack Draper claimed his first ATP title on Sunday by beating Matteo Berrettini 3-6, 7-6 (7-5), 6-4 in the final of the Stuttgart Open in Germany.

Berrettini, a two-time winner at Stuttgart, claimed an early break in the first set that he didn’t relinquish, but Draper, 22, won the second in a tense tiebreaker.

The Italian, who has lost in the final at Wimbledon twice, surrendered the initiative in the decider when he was broken in the seventh game of the set after two powerful winners from newly crowned British No. 1 Draper.

Draper served out to win the match in what will stand as great experience ahead of his home major at Wimbledon next month, dropping to the grass turf after an ace sealed victory.

He had previously lost in the final of two ATP events, in Sofia in 2023 and in Adelaide earlier this year.

“It’s incredible. Just thank you so much for all the support,” Draper said after the match. “It was a really tough match, and I am really happy to win my first title. It means so much.

“A lot of had work, a lot of tough moments the last year or so, I’m really glad with the way I played and I think it is testament to the work I’ve been doing.”

Draper was confirmed as part of Team GB’s tennis team for the Paris 2024 Olympics earlier on Sunday.

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