logo
Jack Draper on verge of passing Djokovic in rankings after biggest clay win

Jack Draper on verge of passing Djokovic in rankings after biggest clay win

Times01-05-2025

Jack Draper is on the brink of overtaking Novak Djokovic in the world's top five after easing through to his first ATP Masters quarter-final on clay at the Madrid Open.
The British No1 dominated his fourth-round match on Wednesday, seeing off Tommy Paul, the world No12 from the United States, 6-2, 6-2 in 67 minutes. It marks a significant step forward on clay as his first win against a top-20 opponent on the surface after losing his previous seven.
At present ranked No6 in the world, Draper now has a tremendous chance to claim a new career-high position. Victory against Matteo Arnaldi, the world No44 from Italy, on Thursday would move him up to No5 above Djokovic, who left the door open through his

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Defeat to Jannik Sinner could be my last match at Roland Garros
Defeat to Jannik Sinner could be my last match at Roland Garros

Powys County Times

time5 hours ago

  • Powys County Times

Defeat to Jannik Sinner could be my last match at Roland Garros

Novak Djokovic admitted his French Open semi-final defeat by Jannik Sinner could be his last match at Roland Garros. The 38-year-old came up short in his bid for a record 25th grand slam title in a 6-4 7-5 7-6 (3) loss to the world number one. Afterwards he paused to wave goodbye to an appreciative crowd on Court Philippe-Chatrier, where he won the title three times. He said: 'It was just a great sense of gratitude for the kind of support that I received tonight. It was incredible. 'I don't think I have ever received this much support in this stadium in my career in big matches against the best players in the world. So I'm very, very honoured to experience that, obviously. 'I mean, this could have been the last match ever I played here, so I don't know. That's why I was a bit more emotional, even in the end. 'But if this was the farewell match at Roland Garros for me in my career, it was a wonderful one in terms of the atmosphere and what I got from the crowd.' Novak. Djokovic. #RolandGarros — Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 6, 2025 Asked how long he has been pondering whether this may have been one final au revoir to Paris, the Serbian said: 'Not long. 'You know, I don't know. I don't know really what tomorrow brings in a way at this point in my career. You know, I'm going to keep on keeping on, yes? 'Obviously Wimbledon is next, which is my childhood favourite tournament. I'm going to do everything possible to get myself ready. 'I guess my best chances maybe are Wimbledon, you know, to win another slam – or a faster hard court, maybe Australia or something like that. 'I said it could have been my last match. I didn't say it was. So I don't know right now – 12 months at this point in my career is quite a long time. 'Do I wish to play more? Yes, I do. But will I be able to play in 12 months' time here again? I don't know. I don't know. 'So, yeah, I mean, that's all I can say for the moment.' Sinner, who will face second seed and defending champion Carlos Alcaraz on Sunday – their first meeting in a grand slam final – paid tribute to Djokovic. 'I think we saw that the match was a very tough match for both of us,' he said. A blockbuster final awaits 🍿 @rolandgarros | #RolandGarros — ATP Tour (@atptour) June 6, 2025 'I tried to stay there, you know, mentally trying to play every point in the right way with the good intensity. 'I'm very, very happy. It's amazing to see him still playing this kind of level he produces and the physical shape he's in, it's amazing. 'So that was a very, very tough match, but I'm very happy to be in the final here.'

Novak Djokovic meets his match as Jannik Sinner seals first Grand Slam final against his great rival Carlos Alcaraz at the French Open
Novak Djokovic meets his match as Jannik Sinner seals first Grand Slam final against his great rival Carlos Alcaraz at the French Open

Daily Mail​

time5 hours ago

  • Daily Mail​

Novak Djokovic meets his match as Jannik Sinner seals first Grand Slam final against his great rival Carlos Alcaraz at the French Open

He reeled in Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. He saw off Andy Murray, then destroyed the next generation. He has just about kept pace with Carlos Alcaraz but Novak Djokovic has met his match at last. Jannik Sinner is too good. In this French Open semi-final clash between the best in the world and the best of all time, the 23-year-old Sinner won 6-4, 7-5, 7-6. He will face his great rival Carlos Alcaraz, who won via retirement against Lorenzo Musetti, in a Grand Slam final for the first time. Djokovic stopped to thank the crowd before leaving the court, admitting he may never return to Roland Garros. 'This could have been the last match ever I played here, I don't know,' said the 38-year-old. 'That's why I was a bit more emotional at the end. 'If this was the farewell match of Roland Garros in my career, it was a wonderful one in terms of the atmosphere and what I got from the crowd. 'Do I wish to play more? Yes, I do. Will I be able to play in 12 months' time here again? I don't know.' By God how Djokovic fought. It was exhilarating and deeply moving to see him use every tool in his arsenal, every ounce of his experience. To feel his stubborn refusal to bow before time and sporting logic. To hear this man - once so unpopular for breaking up the Rafa/Roger party - being roared on by 15,000 spectators. 'It was incredible,' said Djokovic. 'I don't think I ever received this much support in this stadium in big matches against the best players in the world. 'The crowd were terrific in the moments when it seemed like it was all going his way. They would lift me up and encourage me, give me strength to keep going and fight to the last ball, which I did.' The match reached an emotional crescendo as Sinner served to stay in the third set at 4-5. The French crowd were on the younger man's back, screaming 'Double fault,' after he missed a first serve. Djokovic earned three set points and on the third went for a big forehand, missing wide. It was a low margin shot, not a shot Djokovic would have taken on against most people, or five years ago. 'That's what these guys, Sinner and Alcaraz, present on the court,' he said. 'They put pressure constantly so when opportunities are presented it makes you a little more anxious and you want to go for the shot.' Sinner is into his first French Open final without dropping a set. He has destroyed all comers this fortnight. That this was by far his toughest test, that he looked rattled at times, is to Djokovic's enormous credit: 'It's amazing to see the kind of level he produces, the physical shape he's in,' said Sinner. 'That was a very, very tough match.' But it is four wins in a row now for Sinner and it is difficult to see Djokovic beating him again. How's this for a measure of dominance: when Djokovic went 15-40 up on the Sinner serve at the end of the second set, those were the first break points he had earned against the Italian since the 2023 Davis Cup final - in two matches and seven sets since then, the greatest returner of all time had not a sniff. Sinner is just a better, younger version of Djokovic himself, the next stage in the evolution of the perfect tennis player. He has the same loose-limbed, rapier groundstrokes, the same relentless consistency. He just does everything faster; hits everything harder. One day, if Sinner is good enough, and lucky enough, to play on as long as Djokovic, someone will emerge who makes him feel powerless, who makes him feel old. But for now, the world is his - his to share with Alcaraz, at least. The Spanish No2 seed had earlier come through what had the makings of a classic match before a tweak of Musetti's hamstring. The Italian No 8 seed retired trailing 4-6, 7-6, 6-0, 2-0. In today's women's final, Aryna Sabalenka will take on Coco Gauff, meaning the top two seeds will contest both women's and men's finals for the first time at a Grand Slam since the 2013 US Open, when Serena Williams beat Victoria Azarenka and Rafael Nadal beat Novak Djokovic - remember him?

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store