Jack Draper: Brit confident he can 'win any match' after hammering Matteo Arnaldi to reach Madrid Open semi-finals
With his straight-sets win over Matteo Arnaldi, Jack Draper will leapfrog 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic into the No 5 spot in the ATP world rankings; watch Draper vs Lorenzo Musetti in Madrid Open semi-finals from 7pm on Sky Sports
Friday 2 May 2025 16:48, UK
Jack Draper has said he can "win any match" after moving a step closer to his first career clay title by defeating Matteo Arnaldi in straight sets at the Madrid Open.
The British No 1 bageled his Italian counterpart in the opening set, and although Arnaldi showed a touch more fight and skill in the second, Draper claimed the crucial break in the fifth game on his way to an emphatic 6-0 6-4 win.
The victory, sealed in just 77 minutes, sets up a final-four clash with Lorenzo Musetti at 7pm on Friday, live on Sky Sports, after the Italian's 6-4 6-3 quarter-final victory over Gabriel Diallo.
- Latest tennis scores, results and schedule 📝
- Not got Sky? Get Sky Sports or stream on NOW 📺
- Choose the sports notifications you want! 🔔
"I know I can win any match and lose any match. I am fearful I could lose but that helps me compete the way I do," Draper said, speaking on Sky Sports.
"I feel stronger every time I play.
"The last couple of years coming onto the clay, I felt against these guys I'd always be the one on the back foot, I'd always be the one defending."
The 23-year-old has also leapfrogged 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic into the No 5 spot in the ATP world rankings.
"The next part of my game was just getting strong, getting more capable physically to do the things I know I can do and bully these guys. My forehand is doing a lot of damage, and I want to keep it up," Draper added.
"I have been doing everything in all areas pretty well and am excited to keep on going. Hopefully, it keeps coming together.
"I am just well prepared. I work really hard every day and do all the right things off the court and on the court. When I go out to play, I have a feeling it is going to be ok because I have prepared so well."
It also keeps Draper on course for a second Masters 1000 title of the year, after Indian Wells in March.
Gauff dismantles defending champion Swiatek
Coco Gauff stormed into the semi-finals of the Madrid Open, dropping only two games in a 6-1 6-1 dismantling of defending champion Iga Swiatek.
Gauff and Swiatek had met 14 times previously, with the head-to-head heavily in favour of the five-time Grand Slam champion Swiatek at 11 wins to three, with Gauff never having beaten the Pole on clay.
But Swiatek's frustration grew as Gauff stormed back from 0-1 down to win 11 games in a row and 12 of the last 13.
Swiatek looked rattled, her composure cracking as the match spiralled out of her reach and in a rare lapse of composure, she was hit with a code violation for an audible obscenity.
"I was aggressive and played with margin. Maybe it wasnt her best level," Gauff said.
The American will now face Aryna Sabalenka after the world No 1 beat Elina Svitolina 6-3 7-5 to reach her sixth WTA-level final in the first four months of the season.
Watch the ATP and WTA Tours, as well as the US Open, live on Sky Sports in 2025 or stream without a contract on NOW.
