Jack Draper wins first ATP title with final victory over Matteo Berrettini in Stuttgart
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Jack Draper came from a set down to win his first ATP Tour title with victory over Matteo Berrettini at the Stuttgart Open.
The new British number one had lost his previous two finals but made it third time lucky with a brilliant three-set win over former Wimbledon runner-up Berrettini.
Draper has made a flying start to the grass-court season and battled to a 3-6 7-6 6-4 win against an opponent who was gunning for a third title in the German city.
Victory for the 22-year-old moves him up to a career high ranking of 31, which would be good enough to be seeded at Wimbledon.
He will now head to Queen's where he will enjoy his first outing as British number one after climbing above Cameron Norrie in the new rankings.
Draper said on his on-court interview: "Its incredible, it was a really tough match, I am really happy to win my first title, it means so much.
"A lot of hard work, a lot of tough moments in the last year or so it has been up and down, I am glad with the way I played and it is testament to the way I have been working.
"I have got to play in London on Tuesday so I have get home, have a day to train, there's not a lot of time to celebrate.
Berrettini's career had been derailed by injuries over the last couple of years but he has always been strong on grass and took command in the fourth game, breaking after an untimely double fault from Draper.
That was all the Italian needed to wrap up the first set as Draper found his monster serve tough to tame, only getting to deuce once.
He did eventually make inroads in the second set and it was enough for him to earn two set points, but Berrettini wriggled out of trouble with some powerful deliveries.
The Italian had the title in sight in the next game as he had two break points to give himself the chance to serve it out, but this time it was Draper who came good.
A sensational return at 5-5 in the tiebreak earned Draper another set point, which he took this time with a brilliant serve and volley to send it to a decider.
The decisive break at 3-3 allowed Draper to move ahead and he served it out comfortably, sealing victory with an ace.
Berrettini added: "Congrats to Jack. Unbelievable week. Unbelievable match. I was so close. This one is going to hurt for a bit but that's tennis. I'm sure this guy is going to lift more trophies."
Additional reporting by PA Sport.
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