British No 1 Jack Draper secured his first ATP Tour title by fighting back to beat Italy’s Matteo Berrettini 3-6 7-6 6-4.
Superb serving and power from Berrettini saw him clinch the first set 6-3 but a tight second set saw both players remain on serve the whole way through, with Draper missing two set-point chances at 5-4.
Berrettini, having come through that period, failed to convert two break-point chances himself at 5-5, with Draper showing guts to dig out a 7-5 tie-break success and force a decider.
Draper then produced the key break of the match at 3-3 in the third set, moving ahead and holding serve twice to clinch victory.
The 22-year-old previously reached ATP 250 event finals on two occasions, losing to Frenchman Adrian Mannarino at the Sofia Open in November 2023 and to Czech Republic’s Jiri Lehecka at the Adelaide International back in January.
“It is incredible. Thanks for all the support. It was a really tough match and I am really happy to win my first title. It means so much to me,” Draper said afterwards.
“There has been a lot of hard work and a lot of tough moments. It’s been up and down but I’m really glad with the way I played, and it’s a testament to the work I have been doing.
“I have to play in London on Tuesday. In tennis, there is not a lot of time to celebrate.”
Draper came from a set down to beat Berrettini to the Stuttgart Open title
Beaten finalist Berrettini has eight ATP Tour titles in his career so far, including two at the Stuttgart Open and five on grass.
“Congratulations to Jack – an unbelievable week, an unbelievable match. I am sure this guy is going to lift more trophies,” the Italian said.
“I got close and this will hurt for a bit, but that is tennis. Hopefully this is the first step on the grass-court season.”
Berrettini showed power to clinch the first set, but lost a tight second-set tiebreak and then the third-set decider
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