Deep in the second set of his Vienna Open final against Karen Khachanov on Sunday, the complexion of the contest had dramatically changed. For more than an hour, Draper was flawless, winners streaming from his racket as he methodically compiled a 6-4, 4-0 lead. But then he hit a wall. Five games later, Khachanov, tenacious as ever, stood two points from forcing a final set.
Down 4-5, 15-30, Draper landed a sliding lefty first serve out wide before forcing himself inside the baseline and ending an ultra-attacking point with a sweet angled crosscourt backhand winner. He then closed out one of the most significant service games of his career with more first serves and more relentless aggression, wrestling the contest back in his favour and winning his first ATP 500 title.
Throughout his stellar week in Vienna, Draper was fearless under pressure in the important moments, a stark contrast to the start of the season when so many of his matches ended with 7-6 or 7-5 final-set losses.
“That’s confidence, playing lots of matches, maybe understanding what I must do in those moments a bit more and not panic,” he says before his Paris Masters campaign begins on Tuesday.
“The best players in the world, they win 53% of the points. So it’s what you do on big ones that matters. I’m still trying to get better at it, but it’s getting better. It’s shown in my results, especially in the closing matches.”
Throughout this year, Draper’s confidence has been bolstered by his overall improvements. His greater fitness has allowed him to remain on court all season and continue his physical development, improving his already excellent movement. It is now difficult for opponents to consistently put the ball past him.
Draper’s determination to become a more offensive player has been another pillar of his success. His more defensive instincts run deep and it has taken time for him to embrace taking control of matches on the biggest points, particularly with his forehand, rather than allowing his opponents to decide the outcome.
Perhaps the most significant development in Vienna was Draper’s serve. At its best, his first serve is a devastating, versatile weapon and it ranks fourth on the tour for first serve points won this year, 78.6%. But Draper has struggled with consistency at times – his first serve percentage of 59.1% ranks 71st. At the US Open, Draper’s first serve percentage fell under 50% in three of his six matches.
He unsuccessfully attempted to address this inconsistency by adjusting his service motion, particularly the positioning of his feet in his stance. But work on his ball toss has allowed him to find greater rhythm.
In Vienna, he landed 69% of first serves, winning 80% of points behind them. In so many of the important moments, including the second set against Khachanov, his first serve was key.
While Draper’s run to the US Open semi-final was a significant achievement, it was equally important for him to consistently perform at a high level. He has shown he possesses the weapons, athleticism and mental fortitude to defeat the best players in the world and he continues to improve.
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“Winning my first title in Stuttgart was the one that really helped set me,” he says. “That was hanging over my head a little bit. As soon as that happened, I’ve definitely felt much calmer in myself and that’s helped me go from strength to strength.
“The US Open was a big confidence boost. But I’ve just been pretty level, keeping on doing what I’m doing. Tennis is all about doing the basics well and I think I’m doing the basics better and better with higher quality.
“It’s nothing special. It’s just good work that I’m doing on court, in the gym. Everything’s starting to come together.”
A few hours after his victory, Draper took an evening flight to Paris and by 5pm on Monday he was on the practice courts in Bercy to prepare for his first-round match against Jiri Lehecka of the Czech Republic, another talented 22-year-old. An extremely tough challenge awaits.
Draper will begin hoping for an appropriate climax to a deeply impressive breakthrough year, but also with the understanding that, however his season ends, there is no doubt he has finally arrived.
