Jack Draper through to semi-finals in Austria

Jack Draper reached the semi-finals of the Erste Bank Open in Vienna by beating Czech Republic’s Tomas Machac 6-3 3-6 6-1.

The British number one, benefiting from a month’s break before the tournament, produced a dominant final-set performance to set up a last-four clash with Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti.

Draper, up to 18 in the world rankings after the best year of his career, responded to losing the second set by breaking Machac twice in the decider.

The 22-year-old Briton, who lost in straight sets to world number one Jannik Sinner in the US Open semi-finals last month, opened up a 4-0 lead before wrapping up his win in two hours and seven minutes.

He was broken once, decisively, in the second set as Machac hit back to level the match, but the Czech world number 27 had no answer to his left-handed opponent’s power in the last set.

Draper beat Japan’s Kei Nishikori and Italy’s Luciano Darderi in the previous rounds without dropping a set and served out his match against with Machac with an ace.

After reaching his eighth Tour-level semi-final and first since the US Open, Draper told Sky Sports: “I am improving all the time, working really hard to become a better player, more consistent.

“I am really happy with my level. I know I still have lots of improvements to make but I am really happy with where I am at right now and I will keep on working hard.

“The first set was obviously really physical – it is always tough playing Tomas, he is so solid off the ground.

“I felt I had chances in the second set. To be honest, it was more of a mental battle.

“I felt like my energy dropped a little bit, my decision-making became a little bit up and down. I knew I had to reset.

“At this level you can’t get away with spending too long in that situation.

“I am really proud of the way I dug in. I didn’t feel my best but I competed hard and did a great job to come through.”