Coming into this European clay-court swing, Draper had gained 9 of his 20 matches on the pink filth.
Now, having reached the Madrid closing and induced issues for Alcaraz in Rome, he has emerged as a real pressure on the floor going into subsequent week’s French Open.
This was, although, a reminder of what it takes to beat the world’s main males’s clay-courter.
Build up his bodily sturdiness – having struggled with health points in earlier seasons – has been key to Draper’s enchancment on a floor which doesn’t come naturally to the left-hander.
All his larger physicality was wanted in opposition to Alcaraz – a participant who glides effortlessly across the clay and has extra time to make use of his weapons successfully on the slower floor.
Draper pounced on a unfastened sport to take a 4-2 lead within the first set, however was unable to consolidate the break as Alcaraz returned fantastically to immediately hit again.
Persevering with to make Draper work laborious behind the baseline within the factors, and electing to make use of the drop-shot extra usually to finish them, helped Alcaraz swap momentum.
Draper started to look weary as Alcaraz gained 5 straight video games to maneuver a set and a break up, however demonstrated his improved sturdiness by digging deep to search out one other wind.
Draper immediately broke again within the second set, breezing by his subsequent few service video games whereas ramping up the strain on Alcaraz.
Abruptly, Alcaraz seemed flustered as his serve got here below intense scrutiny.
The Spaniard performed greater than twice as many service factors as Draper throughout the opening eight video games, however held on with the assistance of his forehand to maintain the set on serve.
Not breaking his serve in the end knocked the stuffing out of Draper.
The British left-hander was damaged to like within the ninth sport, bowing his head on the changeover signalling his frustration, earlier than Alcaraz confidently served out.
The victory strikes the Spaniard above Zverev to second within the rankings – and, crucially, ensures he shall be seeded second when he begins the defence of his Roland Garros crown.
