Tennis

Jack Draper's remarkable journey reached new heights in Vienna on Saturday as he secured a spot in his first ATP 500 final and projected a rise to the Top 15 in the ATP rankings.The 21-year-old Brit displayed exceptional form, defeating world No. 17 Lorenzo Musetti in straight sets (6-2, 6-4) in a thrilling semifinal clash. Draper's victory marks a significant milestone in his career, as it is his first final appearance at an ATP 500 event.Despite a brief setback in the second set, where Musetti rallied to tie the score at 4-4, Draper regained his composure and secured two quick games to seal the victory. This triumph extends Draper's ATP final record to 1-2, with his previous victory coming on grass in Stuttgart earlier this year.Draper's impressive performance has propelled him to a projected career-high ranking of No. 15, regardless of the outcome of the Vienna final. This achievement is a testament to his consistent performances and rapid rise in the tennis world.Standing in Draper's way for the ATP 500 title is former world No. 8 Karen Khachanov, who defeated world No. 10 Alex de Minaur in the other semifinal. Khachanov, known for his powerful serve and aggressive baseline play, will pose a formidable challenge for Draper.The Vienna final promises to be an exciting encounter between two talented players. Draper will aim to continue his winning streak and secure his first ATP 500 title, while Khachanov will seek to add to his impressive record of seven titles in nine finals.

Elina Avanesyan Continues Giant-Killing Run at Roland Garros, Upsets No. 7 Zheng QinwenPARIS—Elina Avanesyan, the 21-year-old Russian sensation, has continued her remarkable run at Roland Garros, becoming the second Top 8 seed to fall before the fourth round. On Saturday, she defeated No. 7 Zheng Qinwen 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (6), joining No. 6 Maria Sakkari as an upset victim.Avanesyan's victory is a testament to her rapidly rising star. Ranked 70th in the world, she now boasts an impressive 5-0 record against Top 15 players. Her upset of Sakkari in straight sets at the Australian Open earlier this year hinted at her potential, and she has now confirmed her status as a force to be reckoned with.Zheng, the Australian Open runner-up, fought back from a 2-5 deficit in the third set to force a tiebreaker. However, Avanesyan remained composed and played with the same tenacity that had put Zheng in such a precarious position.The pivotal moment came at 8-6 in the tiebreaker. A lengthy rally ensued, with both players displaying exceptional court coverage and power. Avanesyan ultimately prevailed when Zheng's forehand sailed wide.Avanesyan's victory was a testament to her resilience and adaptability. Despite the rain delays and challenging conditions, she maintained her focus and executed her game plan with precision."After a few days here, I guess everybody gets used to these [conditions]," Avanesyan said about the rain. "On the break we were just playing cards and drinking tea to be honest. It was really nice."Avanesyan will now face either Bianca Andreescu or 12th-seeded Jasmine Paolini in the fourth round. She is relishing the opportunity to continue her dream run at Roland Garros, a tournament that holds special significance for her."It's a really magical place for me," Avanesyan said. "Last year was amazing, this year as well."