Jack Draper ousts Matteo Berrettini to clinch career-first ATP title at Boss Open

The 22-year-old made it third time lucky in ATP finals, as he ticked off a significant career milestone in incredible fashion, winning 2-6, 7-6(5), 6-4 in two hours and eight minutes.

The Brit had previously reached the final of two ATP 250 events, losing out to France's Adrian Mannarino at the Sofia Open last November and being edged to the Adelaide International trophy by fellow young star Jiri Lehecka back in January.

Draper – who on Monday will become the new British No.1 for the first time in his career – will now rise to a career-high ranking of world No.31 off the back of his victory in the German city, and puts himself in great stead to be seeded at Wimbledon.

By claiming the crown, the Brit now joins an illustrious list of past champions at the tournament, including 20-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer, three-time Boss Open champion Rafael Nadal, Dominic Thiem and Marin Cilic.

Speaking of clinching his maiden tour title, Draper said “What an amazing final, congrats on an amazing week, Matteo. I was looking at your results on the grass before today’s match, winning two at Queen’s, making a Wimbledon final and two wins here – it seemed like a really tough match and it just goes to show how much of an unbelievable player you are.

“I know you’ve had your injuries like myself and that's set me back. This sport is brutal and it’s really tough when you’re on your own and you’ve got to try and work things out and get back to your best form. So, congratulations and I know you’re going to have hopefully an amazing year and a good few years.

“I’d like to thank my team, James Trotman and Will Herbert, there’s so much hard work that’s gone into this. Lots of ups and downs and tough moments but it’s moments like these where we have to embrace it – have one day off and play on Tuesday. Not much time to celebrate but thank you guys for being there for me.

“To win my first title in a tournament like this is obviously incredible. I’m looking at all of the past winners and to be on that list honestly means the world to me."

In a battle of the big-servers, two-time champion Berrettini comfortably clinched the opening set before the Brit worked his way through the gears in the second. A tight second set saw Draper miss two-set point chances at 5-4 before eventually levelling the scoreboard in the tie-break.

Into the deciding set they went and with the momentum under his belt, Draper hunted down a crucial break at 3-3 before sealing the crown with an ace and a hold to love to wrap his hands around the biggest trophy of his young career.

Draper will now return to home soil, where he's set to compete at the cinch Championships at the Queen's Club. Should he reach the second round, he could be set for a mouth-watering clash against reigning champion Carlos Alcaraz.

Keep up to date with the latest results and updates at the cinch Championships

Draper wasn’t the only Brit in Sunday’s finals action in Stuttgart. Doubles star Julian Cash and Robert Galloway narrowly lost out on silverware in the men’s doubles final in Stuttgart, after being defeated by Marcelo Melo and Rafael Matos 3-6, 6-3 10-8.

Facing the all-Brazillian duo, the British, American pair comfortably took the first set after finding the decisive break, before Melo and Matos produced the perfect response in the second – catching an early break to move to a 3-0 lead and eventually force a match-deciding tie-break, where they eventually fell short.