Jack Draper downs 'different beast' Lorenzo Musetti to set up Madrid Open final against Holger Rune - 'It means so much to me'
Updated 03/05/2025 at 08:53 GMT+1
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Jack Draper's impressive 2025 campaign continued as he reached the finals of the Madrid Open after defeating Lorenzo Musetti in the semi-finals in Spain on Friday evening. The 23-year-old Briton will take on Holger Rune in the final, scheduled to take place on Sunday. Speaking after his win, Draper celebrated a victory against an opponent who he thinks excels on clay court surfaces.
Jack Draper
Image credit: Getty Images
Jack Draper beat Lorenzo Musetti 6-3 7-6(4) in the semi-finals of the Madrid Open on Friday evening, calling his opponent a "different beast" on clay.
Draper impressed with his efforts from the baseline, hitting well and keeping the pressure on his Italian opponent.
The Briton won the first set 6-3 but was taken to a tie-break in the second set, and held his nerve to progress to Sunday’s final.
Draper is looking for his second Masters final of the season, having triumphed at Indian Wells in March against Holger Rune.
Draper will play world No. 15 Casper Ruud in Sunday’s final, who defeated Francisco Cerundolo 6-4 7-5 earlier on Friday.
Speaking after his victory, Draper celebrated a win in a match that he regarded as high quality.
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He said: "I felt like both of us, our quality didn’t really drop from the first ball."
The 23-year-old paid tribute to his opponent and relished a victory against a player he knows well.
He continued: "Credit to Lorenzo, he’s obviously playing so good on the clay. I played him on hard and on grass when we were juniors, growing up with him.Â
"But on clay, he’s a different beast, so to get this win on this court in this stage, semi-finals, it means so much to me."
He added: "Sometimes, in the key moments now, I think about the pain I go through on a daily basis - all the sacrifices."
The win also represents the first time that Draper, who is set to reach No. 5 in the world rankings, has got to the final of a clay event.
Draper is likely to move on to the Italian Open next week, ahead of the French Open - which is live on TNT Sports and discovery+ - beginning on May 25.
Draper 'a complete player' - Musetti
Meanwhile, Musetti described Draper as 'a complete player' and one of the best in the world following his straight-sets defeat to the Brit.
The Italian rued some missed opportunities during the match, but spoke effusively about the Brit's qualities in his post-match press conference.
He said: "Honestly, I felt I had chances in the second set to break him, to try to go a little bit.
"I was trying to lead the game more, so I definitely felt I was really close to that.
"But I have to say that Jack, at the moment, I think he’s probably, if not the best player in the world, one of them. So I'm really happy to be sharing the court, and to see how far or how close I am."
Musetti spoke in more detail about the strengths of Draper's service and return game, and was conscious not to play to the Brit's devastating forehand.
"The impressive thing, I mean, he’s really a complete player. I would say he’s impressive also when he defends. For his height, it’s really high.
"And of course a lefty who can serve really well - especially for a one-handed backhand, it’s not easy to.
"I was trying today a lot to go to his backhand, because of course his forehand is really heavy, and he hits a lot of winners with that. Definitely, it was working.
"But I felt the game at the end was really, really, really close. Of course, it was impressive at the beginning, but then I was really close to his level."
Watch and stream the 2025 French Open on TNT Sports and discovery+
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