Stuttgart Open: Britain's Jack Draper one win from first tour title after dominating Brandon Nakashima to reach final

New British No. 1 Jack Draper is one win away from sealing a career-first tour-level title after flattening Brandon Nakashima to reach the Stuttgart Open final. Draper was dominant on serve in a 6-3 6-3 victory as his impressive form on grass in Germany continues. "It's an amazing feeling," Draper said. He will face two-time champion Matteo Berrettini for the trophy on Sunday.

Highlights: Draper beats Nakashima to set up Stuttgart Open final with Berrettini

Video credit: SNTV

Jack Draper’s bid for a first tour-level title continued at the Stuttgart Open as he defeated Brandon Nakashima in straight sets to reach the final.

The sixth seed earned a 6-3 6-3 win in 72 minutes as his massive service game came to the fore, with the Brit landing 13 aces, winning 94% of his first serve points and not facing a single break point.

Draper will face two-time champion Matteo Berrettini for the title on Sunday, after he defeated fellow Italian Lorenzo Musetti 6-4 6-0 in the other semi-final.

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“It’s an amazing feeling. Brandon’s an incredible player and it was so good to play that level of tennis out here," Draper said in his on-court interview.

"I’ll give it my best shot [in the final]. Everyone here is an incredible player, so if I come out and play the way I have been, I’ll give myself a good shot of winning."

Draper is set to leapfrog Cameron Norrie and become the top-ranked British male player for the first time in his career after his run in Germany, as well as rising to No. 33 in the world.

"Of course [I'm proud]," he said. "It’s something I’ve always wanted to be so it’s a real honour to be in that position. Hopefully I can carry the flag forward."

Draper’s huge serve helped him oust Frances Tiafoe in the quarter-finals, when he landed 31 aces, and that trend continued against Nakashima.

The 22-year-old produced a hat-trick of aces in his opening hold in an ominous signal to the American of how difficult it would prove to find break opportunities.

Draper made his move when he fizzed a superb forehand winner down the line to set up break point in the seventh game, but he needed five bites at the cherry before finally seizing the break to lead 4-3.

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The Brit saw things out from there in emphatic fashion, with a quick hold followed by a second break to wrap up the opener in 40 minutes.

Nakashima, who received a walkover to reach the last four following Jan-Lennard Struff’s withdrawal due to illness, had to hang on as he saw off two break points to hold at 2-2 before facing another couple in his following service game.

He rescued the first but couldn’t handle a ferocious backhand from Draper as he netted to concede the first break of the second set and give the No. 6 seed a 4-2 lead.

Draper kept his cool and served out the match, landing an ace on match point to finish with a flourish before punching the air in celebration.

The Brit is now into his second tour-level final of the season, following his defeat to Jiri Lehecka in Adelaide in January, and the third of his career.

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