THE 2024 Adelaide International final will feature two players fighting for their maiden ATP Tour title, after Jiri Lehecka and Jack Draper advanced through the semis. Both men are also playing in their second tour finals, with Briton Draper reaching his second consecutive decider.

Czech seventh seed Lehecka took just 71 minutes to blitz the higher-ranked Sebastian Korda, 6-2, 6-1. The victor won over 50 per cent of points on Korda’s serve, including 61 per cent off his second. While “surprised” at the lopsidedness of the result, there was no hiding Lehecka’s joy.

“I was a bit surprised it went this well but I did everything I could to make it happen,” he said post-match. “I love this country. It’s so nice to start the year here. I’m enjoying every minute of my first time in Adelaide and you can see that on the court.”

Draper had similar success working off his opponent’s racquet, winning 76 per cent of Alexander Bublik‘s second serve points in the 7-6, 6-4 victory. In his second straight 250 final, the 22-year-old is hoping to go one better.

“I made my first final at the backend of last year and I’m back into a final of my next 250, so I’m really hoping I can get over the line tomorrow,” Draper said post-match.

“Very proud of myself today. It was a tough match against a guy who is very unpredictable. I’m very happy to get through.”

RESULTS: Adelaide International
Day 7 (Semi Finals)

Jack Draper def. Alexander Bublik [8] 7-6, 6-4
Jiri Lehecka [7] def. Sebastian Korda [3] 6-2, 6-1

Final: Jiri Lehecka [7] vs. Jack Draper

UNSEEDED OUTSIDERS PROGRESS TO AUCKLAND FINAL

Qualifier Alejandro Tabilo and Japanese outsider Taro Daniel both beat seeds to progress to the ASB Classic final in Auckland. Akin to the Adelaide International decider, both players will compete in just their second ATP Tour finals, with Tabilo searching for his maiden title.

The Chilean trumped 19-year-old Frenchman Arthur Fils 6-2, 7-5 after being handed a walkover win by second seed Cameron Norrie (wrist) in the quarter finals. After dominating the first set, he came back from 5-2 down in the second and served for the match at 6-5.

It was a long wait for victory as Fils saved three match points in what ended up being a 17-minute final game. The 26-year-old Tabilo would not be denied though, breaking through for a terrific victory over the emerging sixth seed and world number 35.

Meanwhile, Daniel knocked off top seed Ben Shelton in a two-hour battle, 7-5, 7-6. The 30-year-old’s last final came six years ago, and he had to dismantle the tournament favourite to get back there. World number 16 Shelton looked a shoo-in for the title too, as one of two remaining seeds.

“It’s always difficult to play against Ben because he doesn’t give you too much rhythm and the ball’s really alive,” Daniel said post-match. “It’s really about who can put on a little bit more pressure. That tiebreaker was such a dogfight.”

RESULTS: ASB Classic
Day 7 (Semi Finals)

Taro Daniel def. Ben Shelton [1] 7-5, 7-6
Alejandro Tabilo (Q) def. Arthur Fils 6-2, 7-5

Final: Taro Daniel vs. Alejandro Tabilo (Q)