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

Field Level Media|published: Fri 12th January, 10:57 2024

Aug 15, 2023; Mason, OH, USA; Jiri Lehecka, of Czech Republic, hits a return to Taylor Fritz, of the United States, during the Western & Southern Open at Lindner Family Tennis Center. credits: Albert Cesare-USA TODAY Sports

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.

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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