Jack Draper beats Karen Khachanov in Erste Bank Open final in Vienna to claim second ATP title

British No. 1 Jack Draper won a remarkable Vienna Open final against Karen Khachanov on Sunday afternoon, claiming a second ATP title of both the 2024 season and his career. For the first set and a half, Draper appeared to be easing to victory, but Khachanov made him work hard in the closing stages. While the pressure initially seemed too much, Draper righted the ship and sealed the title.

British No. 1 Draper beats Khachanov in Vienna Open final to claim first ATP 500 title

Video credit: SNTV

Jack Draper claimed the second ATP Tour title of his career on Sunday afternoon with a straight-sets win over Russia's Karen Khachanov in the final of the 2024 Erste Bank Open in Vienna, 6-4 7-5.

The victory lifted Draper to world No. 15, his highest career ranking.

Draper had reached the final after breezing past wild card Kei Nishikori, Italy's Luciano Darderi, and Czech Tomas Machac before a semi-final win over Lorenzo Musetti.

Davis Cup

Great Britain 'have chance' of Davis Cup success after Norrie clinches victory over Poland

13/09/2025 at 20:03

Khachanov was eyeing a second title in as many weeks, having won the Almaty Open on October 20, his seventh career singles title.

He had swept through Thiago Seyboth Wild, Brandon Nakashima, Matteo Berrettini and Australian Alex de Minaur in the semi-finals, dropping just one set en route.

The Russian opened the final with a perfect service game, but Draper hit back with a solid hold, dropping only a single point.

Khachanov was sticking to the baseline and that strategy enabled Draper to snatch a key early break when he took the third game.

The Brit followed that up with a hold to love that put him comfortably on top.

Draper earned another two break points in Khachanov's next service game but failed to convert, as his opponent held.

Although Draper had missed the chance to take total control, Khachanov could do nothing to stop him serving out the set as he dropped just three points in his next three service games.

After 40 minutes on the court, Britain's No. 1 was in an imperious position.

He looked even better at the start of the second, sweeping Khachanov aside as he broke to love before holding and then picking up a second break without dropping a point.

Leading by three games to love in the second set, Draper was in touching distance of victory.

He added yet another game to love, reinforcing his position and leaving Khachanov with a mountain to climb.

Khachanov had only won two points in the entire second set and was in danger of being humiliated, but found his footing in the fifth game.

Although the game went to deuce three times, Khachanov held to finally get off the mark in the second set.

Khachanov's renaissance continued in the next game as he broke Draper's serve to love.

Draper was suddenly suffering from unforced errors as he began to feel some pressure.

The momentum had clearly swung as Khachanov made it three consecutive games, sealing the next with a booming serve after more errant strokes from Draper.

The charge carried into the next game as Khachanov raced into a 15-40 lead before taking a second consecutive break at the second time of asking thanks to Draper's double-fault.

Khachanov had recovered from a seemingly impossible position to level the set and take all the momentum.

Draper finally stopped the rot in the 10th game with the set on the line.

A stroke of luck fell his way late in the game with Khachanov's shot catching the net and falling kindly for Draper to smash a winner.

Draper came out on top after a long rally in the next game, before forcing a volley error with a delicate drop shot. The Englishman completed a huge break, moving into position to serve out the match.

Khachanov would not go quietly, though. He pushed his way into a 15-40 lead, but Draper dragged it back to deuce.

The decisive moment finally came, and it went Draper's way.

A mental error from Khachanov handed Draper match point, and the Brit sealed the title with a classic serve and volley.

“I was playing so good, and then the momentum shifted,” said Draper, via the ATP's website. “Honestly, I didn’t feel too nervous or tight, I just missed a few balls and made some wrong decisions, and Karen picked up his level. That’s a testament to how good he is, he’s a fighter and he’s in great form.

“It got really tight there, but I stayed solid and in a good mental frame. Luckily I was able to come through. It was a relief.

"To win my first ATP 500, it feels incredible. I am incredibly happy and so proud of myself and my team. It’s for moments like this, so I am going to enjoy it.”

Draper adds his Vienna title to the Stuttgart Open he won back in June, his first career title.

He also joins fellow Brits Greg Rusedski, Tim Henman and Andy Murray as Vienna Open champions.

Stream top tennis action live and on-demand on discovery+

Tennis