Jack Draper is through to the Boss Open final in Stuttgart final defeating the USA’s Brandon Nakashima 6-3 6-3 in Saturday’s semi-final as his excellent form on grass continues.
I’ll give it my best shot [in the final]. Everyone here is an incredible player, so if I come out and play the way I have been, I’ll give myself a good shot at winning Jack Draper
The 22-year-old reached his third ATP 250 finals having lost previously to Frenchman Adrian Mannarino at the Sofia Open in November 2023 and to the Czech Republic’s Jiri Lehecka at the Adelaide International last January.
“Of course (I’m proud)” Draper said, and, later in the day, learnt that the powerful Italian Matteo Berrettini, a two-time champion at Stuttgart, will be challenging him for the title.
The Brit, seeded sixth in Germany and chasing his first career title, knocked out the defending champion Frances Tiafoe of the USA in the quarters.
Draper continued: “It’s an amazing feeling, Brandon is an incredible player, and it was just so good to play that level of tennis out here.”
When asked what he felt on his rise to British No. 1, he responded: “It’s something I’ve always wanted to be so of course (I’m proud). It’s a real honor to be in that position and hopefully I can carry the flag forward.”
And for his chances against Berrettini, who is no slouch on grass having also won Queen’s twice and reached the Wimbledon final, he added: “I’ll give it my best shot [in the final]. Everyone here is an incredible player, so if I come out and play the way I have been, I’ll give myself a good shot at winning.”
Draper’s huge serve helped him defeat Tiafoe, when he landed 31 aces, and that trend continued against Nakashima as he opened his serve with three aces.
A superb forehand winner down the line set up break point in the seventh game, but he needed five attempts to seal the break to lead 4-3.
From that point the Brit was in complete control with a quick hold followed by a second break, wrapped up the opener in 40 minutes.
Nakashima, who received a walkover to reach the last four following Jan-Lennard Struff’s withdrawal with an illness, had to hang on as he saw off two break points to hold at 2-2 before facing another couple in his following service game.
He rescued the first but couldn’t handle another powerful backhand from the burly Brit as he netted to concede the first break of the second set and give the sixth seed a 4-2 lead.
Draper kept his focus to serve out the match after 72-minutes, landing his 13th ace of the match to seal his place in the final with a flourish at his first attempt.
Meanwhile later in the day, the 28-year-old Italian took just 65 minutes to secure his straight sets victory over compatriot Musetti, the fifth seed, in the second semi.
On facing Draper for the first time, Berrettini said: “We never even practiced together so I hope my coach has studied him well. He has been serving brilliantly so it is going to be a match of serving tomorrow.
“Good luck to Jack but I will try to beat him.”
