Jack Draper praised a “passage to adulthood” performance after he categorically stormed the victory in the BNP Paribas open final at Indian Wells.
The British N ° 1 exceeded Holger Rune in straight sets, 6-2 6-2, in just 68 minutes to secure a title Maiden ATP Masters 1000.
Draper took a quick start, breaking the rune in the opening match, then starts again at his next attempt to take the first set in half an hour. It was then a break in the first opportunity again in the set two while it was victory.
“I didn’t expect it at the start of the week,” said draper Sky Sports. “I had a start of the year with an injury, so being in this position now is beyond words.
“I talk a lot about my coach about these later towers in tournaments. I have lost games in the past because I became passive and I did not take it to the opponent and played on my conditions and played to win.
“To play as I did since the first ball, to look for my forehand, to serve well, it’s a good time for maturity for my game.”
With the victory to raise draper to a seventh seventh in career in the world ranking on Monday, he added: “I feel like it deserves it in all honesty.
“The quantity of adversity I have experienced, the quantity of sacrifices, while everyone around me spent me and hard work.
“It is an emotional feeling of knowing how much you went through and put it and to be here now, to say that I am going to seven in the world, I cannot tell you how much it means for me.”
Draper continued: “I want to be a better player, I want to continue to improve, but I work hard and I see what is coming because my dream does what I do.
“Play on the big stages against the best players in the world, to have the opportunities I have. Winning these big tournaments is an additional bonus.”
‘One day draper will remember forever’
Tim Henman, a finalist twice of Indian Wells, said that Draper had won a “declaration” victory that will live in memory of the British player for a long time.
“Absolutely brilliant performance,” said Henman on Sky Sports Tennis. “It was built, not only in this tournament, but in recent weeks, months and years.
“It was great to see Jack go out and deliver many times in the tournament where he did not have the simplest draw.
“He absolutely brought Rune apart from 6-2 6-2 to win his first Masters title, it is a day that he will remember forever.”
Henman added: “Looking at the match, it was very good traffic.
“When he had none of the physical problems, he was able to execute his match plan. Beating someone as a rune in straight sets is a big statement.”
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