Draper denied a breakthrough first title

Jiri Lehecka spoiled the winning scenario for Brit Jack Draper with a 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 comeback which handed him a first career title with success at the Adelaide International on Saturday.

Draper was also bidding for a breakthrough trophy after reaching the final last autumn in Sofia, the last ATP event of his 2023 season.

But after winning the opening set, the No. 62 from Sutton was unable to close, with Lehecka breaking to win the second set despite 15 unforced errors, squaring the match at a set each.

From then, the Draper drive  diminished, with his opponent coming from 0-40 down and finishing with an ace for 4-1, 

Lehecka then put the finishing touches on his victory four games later after just over two hours on court.

At age 22, Draper was bidding to become the youngest Brit to win a Tour trophy since 21-year-old Andy Murray at Miami in 2009.

“This is what I train for,” Draper said. “I love to play in front of big crowds like this.

“Jiri played incredible tennis, and won his first title, the same thing I was trying for.

“He deserved it, he was the better player today, This is my second year here and I went one farther than my semi-final last year.”

Main photo:- Jiri Lehecka celebrates winning his maiden career title by ATPTour.com