Jack Draper season ends in Paris Masters defeat as aggressive outburst earns him umpire warning
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Jack Draper's impressive seven-match winning streak came to an end in the Paris Masters third round, dashing his hopes of qualifying for the ATP Finals.
The British No. 1 fell to Alex de Minaur in a gruelling three-set match, losing 5-7, 6-2, 6-3.
Draper, who had been riding high after his recent victory in Vienna, showed signs of fatigue as the match progressed.
The 22-year-old's frustration boiled over in the deciding set, resulting in a warning from the umpire for smashing his racket.
The defeat marks the end of Draper's remarkable late-season charge, which had seen him rise to world No. 14.
Despite the loss, the young Briton can reflect on a breakthrough year that has firmly established him as a force in the game.
Jack Draper's season is over but it has been a fine year for the Briton
Sky Sports
Draper's season has been nothing short of remarkable. He clinched his first ATP Tour title in Stuttgart in June, followed by a maiden Grand Slam semi-final appearance at the US Open in September.
His recent triumph at the Vienna Open, an ATP 500 event, further solidified his status as a rising star. This victory propelled him to a career-high ranking of 14th in the world.
However, the toll of playing eight matches in ten days became evident in Paris. Against de Minaur, Draper started strongly, taking the first set 7-5.
But as the match wore on, signs of physical and emotional fatigue began to show. De Minaur, who had lost to Draper in New York, seized the opportunity to turn the tables.
The deciding set saw Draper's energy levels plummet. He was broken in the opening game, prompting the racket-smashing incident that earned him a warning.
Despite a brief resurgence, levelling at 2-2, Draper couldn't maintain the momentum. De Minaur quickly retaliated, securing another break.
The Australian, who had been playing through injury, showed remarkable resilience. He comfortably closed out the match, winning three of the final four games.
This defeat likely marks the end of Draper's 2024 season. The British star will now take a well-deserved rest after his exhausting schedule.
De Minaur's victory keeps his own ATP Finals hopes alive. He tentatively secured the final spot for the season-ending tournament in Turin.
Draper's 2024 season will be remembered as a breakthrough year. He became only the fourth British man since 2009 to win an ATP 500 title with his victory in Vienna.
Jack Draper lost his cool at one point and smashed his racket, earning him a warning from the umpire
Sky Sports
His rise through the rankings has been meteoric, climbing 48 places over the course of the year. Draper's performances have firmly established him as a top-20 player.
Looking ahead to 2025, the young Briton will aim to build on this success.
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Jack Draper's fabulous season comes to an end as he's defeated by Alex De Minaur 👏 pic.twitter.com/kOoObtXtu4
— Sky Sports Tennis (@SkySportsTennis) October 31, 2024
With his first two ATP titles under his belt and a Grand Slam semi-final appearance, Draper has proven he can compete at the highest level.
While his Paris Masters campaign ended in disappointment, it has not diminished the significant strides he has made this season.
Draper's focus will now shift to preparation for the challenges that lie ahead in the coming year.
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