Jack Draper becomes first Brit since Andy Murray to break into top five after reaching Madrid Open semi-finals

• Jack Draper reached the Madrid Open semi-finals after beating Matteo Arnaldi 
• He is the first Brit since Andy Murray to break into the top five of the rankings 
• Draper will take on either Lorenzo Musetti or Gabriel Diallo in Friday’s semi-finals

By MATTHEW LAMBWELL

When a callow teenager named Jack Draper took the opening set off Novak Djokovic on Wimbledon’s Centre Court in 2021, we knew the kid had talent.

But few would have expected it to bloom so dramatically that less than four years later he would be leapfrogging the great Serb into the world’s top five.

Yet that is the reality after the 23-year-old crushed Matteo Arnaldi 6-0, 6-4 to move into the semi-finals of the Madrid Open. 

Djokovic’s second round defeat means that when the rankings refresh on Monday, Draper will be the first British man to debut in the top five since Andy Murray in 2008.

‘I feel stronger every time I play,’ Draper told Sky Sports. ‘The last couple of years, I felt against these guys I’d always be the one on the back foot, always the one defending. The next part of my game was just getting stronger, to do the things I know I can do and bully these guys.’

Draper is in a zone where one can see dramatic improvement on an almost weekly basis, and in Madrid his forehand has reached a new level. Rafael Nadal’s playbook on clay was to hit as many forehands as possible, pummelling the right-hander’s backhand and then, at the right moment, ripping a winner down the line. 

Jack Draper leapfrogged Novak Djokovic into the top five after reaching the Madrid Open semis

He crushed Matteo Arnaldi to become the first Brit to break into the top five since Andy Murray

He’s now the highest-ranked player left in the competition, though Casper Ruud is favourite

Draper plays down comparisons to his fellow leftie and childhood hero but the way he destroyed Arnaldi in that first set – dropping only 10 points – was reminiscent of the great Spaniard.

‘If anything, I think I hit too many balls to the righties’ forehand,’ said Draper.

 ‘Sometimes I don’t get my feet right and I think someone like Rafa would go a lot more into the backhand. That’s one area I’m going to keep trying to improve. But my forehand is doing a lot of damage out here.’

Ahead of Friday’s semi-finals Draper is awaiting the winner of Thursday night’s match between Canadian lucky loser Gabriel Diallo and Lorenzo Musetti.

The Brit is the highest ranked player left, although the title favourite is clay expert Casper Ruud, who plays Francisco Cerundolo in the other semi.

Asked about the wide open nature of this draw, Draper’s answer gave an insight into the mindset which has kept him so consistent this season: ‘I go out there every time and I’m fearful, I’m doubtful,’ he said.

‘I’m thinking there’s a chance I could lose but that helps me to compete the way I do. That fear.’

After Draper’s displays this week we can be sure that, for the rest of the clay court season, there will be at least as much fear on the other side of the net.

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Jack Draper becomes first Brit since Andy Murray to break into top five after reaching Madrid Open semi-finals

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