Fearless Jack Draper rallies past Matteo Berrettini to reach Qatar Open semis

Jack Draper fought back from a set down to defeat Matteo Berrettini 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 and secure his place in the Qatar Open semifinals. The British No. 1 delivered a stellar performance and will now face Czech Jiri Lehecka in the next round.

The Italian fired 16 aces and showed impressive serving quality, landing 76% of his first serves and winning 67% of them—numbers that would normally be enough to win most matches. But not against Draper, who had a 72% first-serve percentage and won 75% of those points.

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Berrettini started stronger, displaying better focus on key points in the first set. He saved all six break points he faced while converting one of his three break chances at 3-3. At 5-4, the longest game of the match took place, lasting 18 points before the Italian closed out the set 6-4.

The second set followed a similar pattern, with both players holding serve comfortably in the early stages. Draper applied pressure in the middle of the set but was denied break chances by Berrettini’s strong serving. However, at 4-5, the world No. 35 found himself serving to stay in the set, and the roles were reversed from the opener. Another lengthy game—this time lasting 20 points—ended with Draper converting his fourth break opportunity to force a decider, taking the set 6-4.

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Tension ran high in the final set. When Berrettini showed his first signs of weakness in the fourth game, Draper capitalized immediately, securing a crucial break at the first opportunity. From there, the Brit held his nerve on serve, saving a break point along the way, and sealed the victory 4-6, 6-4, 6-3. Berrettini finished with 38 winners to Draper’s 24.

Draper will now face Jiri Lehecka in the semifinals, as the Czech recently stunned Carlos Alcaraz in the quarterfinals. The Brit is aiming for his first final of the season after capturing his maiden ATP titles in 2024.

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