Britain’s Jack Draper has advanced to the third ATP final of his career and his first on grass, after a commanding win over unseeded American Brandon Nakashima at the Stuttgart Open. The 22-year-old, seeded sixth, delivered an impressive performance with 13 aces and 35 winners, securing a 6-3, 6-3 victory.
Draper, who had previously defeated defending champion Frances Tiafoe in the quarter-finals, will face former Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini in Sunday’s final. The 28-year-old Italian reached the final by defeating his compatriot, fifth seed Lorenzo Musetti, in a swift 6-4, 6-0 victory.
Berrettini, commenting on his upcoming match with Draper, noted their lack of prior encounters: “We never even practised together, so I hope my coach has studied him well. He has been serving brilliantly, so it is going to be a match of serving tomorrow. Good luck to Jack, but I will try to beat him.”
Regardless of Sunday’s outcome, Draper will rise to 32nd in the world rankings, potentially earning a seeded position for Wimbledon, which begins on 1 July. He will also become the British number one, overtaking Cameron Norrie. Draper is now one win away from capturing his first singles title on the elite men’s tour. However, Berrettini, a two-time Stuttgart winner and 2021 Wimbledon runner-up, remains a formidable opponent, particularly on grass where he has claimed four of his eight career titles.
