Draper beats Lehecka to reach Qatar Open final

British number one Jack Draper reached the final of the Qatar Open with a 3-6 7-6 (7-2) 6-3 victory against Jiri Lehecka.

After breaking serve in the eighth game, Lehecka of the Czech Republic took control of the opening set before a more even second set led to a tie-break.

In the tie-break, Draper nearly flawlessly performed in the match to send it to a decider, defeating Matteo Berrettini on Thursday.

The 23-year-old Briton was given a break in the final set when Lehecka made a double fault and the Czech threw his racket to the floor in disbelief.

Draper broke serve once more with his second match point to give himself a chance to win a third career title. His recent injuries have been well documented.

“I thought in the first set I put in a sloppy game”, Draper said.

“I started to get a lead on his]Lehecka’s] serve, holding easier and creating a lot of pressure behind his serve.

As the match progressed, I started to feel more optimistic. I’m proud of the way I competed out there. “

Draper, who reached the Australian Open fourth round in January, will meet Andrey Rublev in Saturday’s final after the Russian defeated Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime 7-5 4-6 7-6 (7-5).

World No. 10 Rublev won the match with his fourth match point, putting together an even match that ultimately came down to a thrilling final set.

Meanwhile, Saturday’s men’s doubles final will be an all-British affair after Neal Skupski and Joe Salisbury beat Britain’s Henry Patten and Finland’s Harri Heliovaara 3-6 6-3 10-5.

Earlier on Friday British pair Lloyd Glasspool and Julian Cash defeated India’s Yuki Bhambri and Croatia’s Ivan Dodig 7-6 (7-3) 6-3.