Jack Draper feels his “brutal” loss to Casper Ruud within the Madrid Open ultimate will enhance him as a participant together with his opponent saying the “sky is the restrict” for the British No 1.
Draper was crushed in three units by Ruud in Spain as his hopes of a second Masters 1000 title in as many months – after Indian Wells in March – have been dashed with a 7-5 3-6 6-4 reverse.
The 23-year-old – who has changed Novak Djokovic as world No 5 – was 5-3 up within the first set earlier than dropping 4 video games in a row however ensured a decider by taking the second set.
A gruelling third went Ruud’s means because the Norwegian secured a maiden Masters 1000 trophy of his profession and stored Draper ready for a primary ATP-level event win on clay.
Draper conceded that Ruud was braver than him in the important thing moments of the Madrid Open ultimate
Draper, who had by no means beforehand been past the quarter-finals of an occasion on the floor, stated he thought Ruud was “braver in the important thing moments” however added: “This loss hurts.
“This sport is brutal, however I feel this loss goes to make me higher.”
The ultimate was Draper’s third of the yr, with the left-hander crushed by Andrey Rublev in Qatar in February earlier than downing Holger Rune at Indian Wells to win a event during which he additionally knocked out four-time Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz.
Draper now has three ATP Tour titles – his Indian Wells triumph following victories in Stuttgart and Vienna final yr – and he got here near a fourth in Madrid.
He didn’t lose a set in 5 matches earlier than going through Ruud, together with his forehand a very potent weapon all through the week.
‘Draper a risk on any floor – there are not any holes in his recreation’
Ruud says Draper is a risk on all surfaces and has ‘no holes’ in his recreation
Ruud was complimentary about his opponent whereas chatting with Sky Sports activities afterwards, saying: “For those who checked out his profession earlier than Madrid his greatest outcomes have been laborious courtroom or grass however he has proven he understands clay and could be a risk on the floor.
“He was not dangerous earlier than however he has actually taken a giant step.
“He was in a position to reply my top-spin forehand and he has a heavy forehand himself, plus he serves nice and strikes nice. There are not any holes in his recreation
Draper was livid with himself after dropping the primary set in opposition to Ruud in Spain
“Outcomes like it will make you consider extra and offer you confidence. The sky is the restrict and I’ve crushed him as soon as earlier than he will get higher!”
Draper and Ruud will now play in subsequent week’s Italian Open in Rome, a event which is able to see the return of world No 1 Jannik Sinner following the tip of his three-month ban.
An out-of-form Djokovic has withdrawn from that occasion, whereas Alcaraz will make a late name on his inclusion as he recovers from a muscle harm that dominated him out of Madrid.
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