Jack Draper (22) survived a second-set collapse to win the Vienna Open with a 6-4, 7-5 victory over Karen Khachanov (28) on Sunday.
It marked a second title for the Briton but his first at an ATP 500 event, his previous success coming in the ATP 250 event in Stuttgart in June.
“To win my first ATP 500, it feels incredible,” said Draper, who will break into the top 15 for the first time in his career.
“I am incredibly happy and so proud of myself and my team. I am going to enjoy it.”
After easing through the first set and into a 4-0 lead in the second, Draper suddenly found himself on the back foot as the 28-year-old Russian, who won the Almaty tournament last week, reeled off five games on the bounce.
Draper collected himself in time to close out the set and become the first player to win the tournament on his debut since fellow Briton Andy Murray in 2014.
“I was playing so good, and then the momentum shifted,” said Draper.
“Honestly, I didn’t feel too nervous or tight. I just missed a few balls and made some wrong decisions, and Karen picked up his level.
“That’s a testament to how good he is. He’s a fighter and he’s in great form.
“It got really tight there, but I stayed solid and in a good mental frame. Luckily I was able to come through. It was a relief.”
Draper dispatched world number 17 Lorenzo Musetti in the semi-finals 6-2, 6-4 on Saturday and lost just one set during the tournament.
Aug 29, 2024; Flushing, NY, USA; Carlos Alcaraz of Spain in action against Botic van de Zandschulp of the Netherlands on day four of the 2024 U.S. Open tennis t
Casper Ruud made a statement when he shocked Carlos Alcaraz in their first match of the ATP Finals on Monday. But could the six-seed follow that up with another
Carlos Alcaraz is back in business and has this afternoon sent a message to the field at the ATP Finals. It wasn’t a resounding message that the Spaniard has
Jannik Sinner remains unbeaten on indoor hard courts in 2024, improving to 7-0 with an impressive performance on Tuesday night. Continuing his pursuit of an AT