Jack Draper advances to Adelaide International final with a victory over Alexander Bublik; Oliver Crawford loses qualifier
British tennis player Jack Draper secured a spot in the final of the Adelaide International by defeating Alexander Bublik with a scoreline of 7-6 (7-2) 6-4. The 22-year-old’s straight-sets victory over the No. 8 seed from Kazakhstan serves as preparation for the upcoming Australian Open.
Draper, who has yet to claim an ATP Tour title, will face Czechia’s Jiri Lehecka in the final, allowing him to secure his first ATP final win since his defeat to Adrian Mannarino at the Sofia Open last year.
In his semifinal match against Bublik, Draper took an early lead at 2-0 but faced a break back. The first set was decided in a tie-break, with Draper securing a crucial break to lead 4-2 in the decider. Despite Bublik’s impressive play, Draper held his nerve to win the set after an hour of intense play. Draper’s break at 4-2 in the second set proved decisive as he closed out the match.
Jiri Lehecka, ranked No. 32 in the world, earned his spot in the final by defeating Sebastian Korda 6-2 6-1. Draper is scheduled to face Marcos Giron from the USA in the first round of the Australian Open.
In the Australian Open qualifying round, Britain’s Oliver Crawford lost to Czech player Vit Kopriva with a score of 6-4 6-4. Jack Draper and other British players such as Andy Murray, Emma Raducanu, Cameron Norrie, Katie Boulter, Dan Evans, and Jodie Burrage will be representing Britain in the Australian Open, starting on Sunday.