Jack Draper books place in second ATP Tour final with win over Alexander Bublik

Jack Draper booked his place in a second career ATP Tour final with his 13th win out of his last 15 matches on tour.

After a strong start to 2023, much of the remainder of the year was curtailed by injury. But he recovered to end the year well, including banking nearly half-a-million pounds by winning the Ultimate Tennis Showdown in London last month.

He has carried that good form into this season and produced a performance well above his current ranking of world No62 to beat No8 seed Alexander Bublik at the Adelaide International on Friday.

The 22-year-old Londoner will take on Jiri Lehecka, who he first played as a 13-year-old in the junior ranks, in Saturday’s final as he bids for a first official title on the main ATP Tour.

Following the 7-6, 6-4 win over the unorthodox Bublik, Draper said: “It was a tough match today against a guy that’s very unpredictable. I’m really glad with the way I’m playing.”

The big-serving Draper proved the greater aggressor of the pair and was the more clinical in the key moments, notably a first set tiebreak, which he dominated 7-2, and at the business end of the second set.

Of the prospect of a title win to take into the Australian Open, Draper said: “It would mean a lot to me. I came here and made semi [last year] - one further this year. It’s a tough challenge. I’m going to need all the support I can get.”