Europes number one and two, Timofey Skatov, Russia, and Jack Draper, Great Britain did battle on the Center Court of the Royal Tennis hall this afternoon in the finals of the Kungens Kanna. Both players have looked sharp on their way to the final which would prove to be the best match of the tournament.
Draper brought out the heavy artillery early and for the first time in the tournament Skatov was put under real pressure early in the match when the Brit broke in the very first game of the match. The consistent Russian however managed to fight back and won three games in a row up to 3-2. Draper went for two backhands down the line that landed just outside and gave Skatov the opportunity to break. The Russian, who’s managed to play extremely well on important points throughout the week, didn’t let down, broke and held for a 5-2 lead. Draper, who always shows fighting spirit in his matches regardless the score, fought back to 5-4 but the Russians heavy groundstrokes overpowered Draper and he won the first set 6-4.
In the second set, Skatov continued to put pressure on Draper and took a 2-0 lead. The Brit tried to play with more variety which gave him a game at the start of the set at one game to three, but the Russian looked steady as a train, broke again and hit five straight winners at 4-1 to serve for the match 5-1. Draper then broke Skatov again with some excellent attacking from the baseline, 5-2. Draper went on to serve but Skatov was too good on the day and on match point hit a hard forehand down the line which Draper could not keep in play and the final ended 6-4, 6-2.