ATP roundup: Jiri Lehecka, Jack Draper seek first titles in Adelaide


  • Tennis
  • Saturday, 13 Jan 2024

Tennis - Davis Cup - Finals - Czech Republic v Australia - Palacio de deportes Martin Carpena Malaga Spain - November 22 2023 Czech Republics Jiri Lehecka in action during his quarter final match with Adam Pavlasek against Australias Matthew Ebden and Max Purcell REUTERSVioleta Santos MouraFile Photo

Tennis - Davis Cup - Finals - Czech Republic v Australia - Palacio de deportes Martin Carpena, Malaga, Spain - November 22, 2023 Czech Republic's Jiri Lehecka in action during his quarter final match with Adam Pavlasek against Australia's Matthew Ebden and Max Purcell REUTERS/Violeta Santos Moura/File Photo

Jiri Lehecka and Jack Draper will play for their first-ever ATP Tour title when they meet in the final of the Adelaide International on Saturday in Australia.

The finals matchup was set Friday when Lehecka, a 22-year-old Czech, crushed third-seeded Sebastian Korda 6-2, 6-1 to reach his second tour final. England's Draper, also 22, defeated Alexander Bublik of Kazakhstan 7-6 (2), 6-4.

Lehecka, the No. 7 seed, needed just 71 minutes to eliminate Korda. Lehecka fired 22 winners -- including seven aces -- against just six unforced errors. Korda ended with eight and 11, respectively.

Draper is appearing in his second career -- and second straight -- final. He lost to Adrian Mannarino of France last November in his season-ending Sofia Open in Bulgaria.

ASB Classic

Taro Daniel of Japan knocked out top seed Ben Shelton 7-5, 7-6 (9) to reach the final in Auckland, New Zealand.

Daniel captured the only break point of the two-hour match in the first set in the tight contest, in which he won 89 total points to 82 for Shelton. Nine of those Shelton points came on aces.

G’day getaway: Discover Australia with comfort and class

Daniel's finals opponent is Alejandro Tabilo of Chile, who will be seeking his first career title. Tabilo defeated sixth-seeded Arthur Fils of France 6-2, 7-5 behind seven aces. Fils notched seven double faults.

--Field Level Media

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