MATCH REPORT | 2023 Sofia Open Final as Adrian MANNARINO takes yet another title to continue renaissance in 2023 with Jack DRAPER win
ATPSaturday, 11 November 2023 at 17:07
At 35 years young, Adrian Mannarino continues to defy belief as he heads towards entering the top 20 in the ATP Ranking for the first time in short order. He won the Sofia Open on Saturday afternoon defeating Jack Draper in the final.
After a long career in which Mannarino has always been the nearly man as opposed to a top player in his own right, the Frenchman has emerged this season picking up title after title with a third of the season this afternoon.
It is a fifth tour-level title over his career and he is into 20th in the live rankings. A superb end to the season for the Frenchman as he saw off Draper who himself can have a lot to shout about despite the 7-6, 2-6, 6-3 win in favour of Mannarino.
Draper has spent most of the season out injured including missing Wimbledon which of course from a home hope perspective with Emma Raducanu also missing was a blow for a tournament in which Andy Murray remains the main player despite not being at his best for some time.
The Brit could not take his role as the potential future star to watch, but while Paris Masters was taking place, he was winning a Challenger tournament and returning to form which culminated in a run to the final this week.
In the final, Mannarino capitalised on the only two break point chances he created in both sets he won and this featured only a sole mini break to win the opener. Draper dominated set two, but experience ultimately decided the day as Mannarino kept Draper waiting for a first main ATP Tour title.
"That's definitely the best way to finish the year," the Frenchman said post-match. "It's been a great year and I'm a little bit exhausted but it's really motivating when you're doing well. I was playing great on court and I'm happy with the result."
"I got a little bit lucky at the end, It could have gone both ways. I don't know what made the difference today, but it's like this. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, and I'm just a little bit more lucky today."
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