Jack Draper continues dominant form with victory over Miomir Kecmanovic to reach maiden ATP 500 semi-final in Mexico

ByBen Southby

Published 01/03/2024 at 09:56 GMT

Jack Draper beat Miomir Kecmanovic in straight sets to reach his maiden ATP 500 at the Mexican Open in Acapulco. The 22-year-old continued his crushing form - where he beat Tommy Paul and Yoshihito Nishioka in the earlier rounds - to set up a last-four tie with defending champion Alex de Minaur, who beat Stefanos Tsitsipas. Casper Ruud and Holger Rune will meet in the other semi-final.

Jack Draper cruised into the Mexican Open semi-finals with a straight-sets victory over Miomir Kecmanovic.

The British No. 3 broke his top 60 counterpart in both sets on the way to a 6-2 6-2 win in Acapulco, his third straight-sets triumph of the tournament.

Draper will take on world No. 9 Alex de Minaur for a spot in the final after the Australian beat Stefanos Tsitsipas for the first time in his career to reach the last four.

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Holger Rune and Casper Ruud will lock horns in the opposite semi-final, completing a strong last four battling for a place in Saturday’s final.

Draper wrapped up a convincing opener against Kecmanovic in 31 minutes after breaking the Serbian twice in quick succession to take a 4-1 lead before serving out the first set.

The second set was more competitive, with Draper surviving a break point as the pair stayed locked at 2-2.

However, the Brit made his decisive move with a break on his fourth break point to take the momentum of the tie, before landing a double break to settle the match.

After serving out the last game to love, Draper sealed the win in 80 minutes to book his place against defending champion De Minaur in the semi-finals.

The victory extends his crushing form on the North American continent, after he beat American Tommy Paul - ranked 36 places higher than the Brit - 6-0 6-4 in the first round.

Then he took on Japanese star Yoshihito Nishioka in the second round and made even lighter work of the 28-year-old, winning 6-3 6-0.

Paul overcomes Britain's Draper in four sets - Australian Open highlights

• Raducanu given wild card for Miami - 'Eagerly anticipated to make her return'
• Rublev wants to 'improve mentally' to get over major 'quarter-final hurdle'
• Boulter beats second seed Haddad Maia to reach first WTA 500 quarter-final

Draper will take on De Minaur on Saturday, which is set to be his biggest career semi-final.

The 22-year-old’s match against the Australian will be his maiden ATP 500 last-four clash.

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