British No. 1 makes history in Madrid with straight-sets win over Musetti to set up final clash against Casper Ruud

Madrid – British tennis star Jack Draper advanced to his first-ever clay-court final on Friday, defeating Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti in straight sets, 6-3, 7-6 (7-4), at the Madrid Open.

The 23-year-old continued his impressive 2024 campaign by securing a spot in Sunday’s final against Norway’s Casper Ruud. It marks Draper’s third ATP final of the season and puts him on course for his second title, following his triumph over Holger Rune at Indian Wells in March.

Draper, the current British No. 1 and a US Open semi-finalist last year, overcame an early break from Musetti before claiming a double break of his own to take the opening set. Though Musetti fought back and the second set proved more closely contested, Draper edged ahead in a tense tie-break with a decisive cross-court backhand to seal the win.

With the victory, Draper becomes the first Englishman to reach the Madrid Open final and only the second Briton to do so, following in the footsteps of Scotland’s Andy Murray, who reached the final three times and won the tournament twice.

Draper has now won all four of his professional encounters with Musetti, extending a perfect head-to-head record that dates back to their junior days. That psychological edge appeared to play a role early on, as Musetti dropped his opening service game and never fully recovered his rhythm.

The Italian rallied in the second set, drawing the support of the Madrid crowd, particularly after a deft drop shot in the fifth game. However, both players held firm on serve, saving a break point apiece and pushing the set to a tie-break. Draper broke through on the fifth point and never looked back.

Awaiting Draper in the final is world No. 15 Casper Ruud, who overcame Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo 6-4, 7-5 in the other semifinal, despite suffering from a rib injury sustained during his warm-up.

“I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to finish the match,” Ruud admitted afterward. “I felt something in my rib during the warm-up, and I could feel it in nearly every shot, especially the serve.”

Ruud, 26, is one of the tour’s most consistent clay-court players, having reached his 18th final on the surface. Only Novak Djokovic, with 34 clay finals, has more among active players. Ruud’s latest title on the red dirt came just last May at the Geneva Open.

Sunday’s showdown in Madrid will mark the first career meeting between Draper and Ruud at the professional level. A win for Draper would not only deliver his maiden clay title but could also propel him into the world’s top five for the first time.

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