This promises to be a fascinating semifinal clash in what has been a chaotic edition of the Madrid Masters. Brit pinup idol Jack Draper has fast become one of the most exciting talents in the men’s game, using an aggressive brand of tennis to rocket up the world rankings. Lorenzo Musetti is in scintillating clay-court form, with a more nuanced style that sets this up to be a potential classic.
2025 ATP Tour
Masters 1000
Madrid Masters
Caja Magica, Madrid, Spain (Outdoor Clay)
Semifinal Preview- 2nd May
Jack Draper (5) 0.5 vs Lorenzo Musetti (10) 1.55
Jack Draper
British No.1 Jack Draper cruised through his quarterfinal clash, blitzing Djokovic’s conqueror Matteo Arnaldi 6-0, 6-4. Draper won the first set in just 25 minutes and was brutal on serve throughout, dropping just ten points on serve in the match. The big-serving lefty hit 17 winners to 15 unforced errors in an efficient display of clay-court tennis. Draper is yet to drop a set this fortnight as he looks to reach a maiden ATP clay-court final. Draper has endured well-publicized injury torment in his young career. However, his body seems to be cooperating better these days and the results have been magnificent. Draper reached his first Grand Slam semifinal at last year’s US Open. He has picked up some big results in 2025, finishing runner-up in Qatar before claiming a maiden Masters 1000 title at Indian Wells.
His form dropped in the aftermath of that herculean run at Indian Wells (he faced early eliminations in Miami and Monte-Carlo). But he has rediscovered that Indian Wells magic this fortnight. The fact that he won at Indian Wells tells you that he probably has what it takes to handle the clay (those Indian Wells surfaces are famously slow). Draper has a huge forehand that generates plenty of topspin (ala Rafa Nadal). He looks to dominate with that weapon but he also moves deceptively well (and has grown into a fine player in and around the net). Draper will enter the top five in the world for the first time next week and victory here would be a huge statement ahead of Roland Garros.
Lorenzo Musetti
Lorenzo Musetti was once again in sparkling form in his Madrid quarterfinal, using his considerable courtcraft to flummox surprise-package Gabriel Diallo 6-4, 6-3. Musetti played the occasion perfectly, producing high-percentage tennis while the exuberant Diallo went for too much (the Canadian hit 37 unforced errors to Musetti’s 12). Musetti is arguably the hottest clay-court player in the world right now, winning nine of his last ten matches (he finished runner-up to Alcaraz in Monte-Carlo). He was hampered by various leg injuries during the start of the season (he experienced a
reoccurrence of a thigh issue when he was bageled by Alcaraz in the Monte-Carlo decider). But he skipped Barcelona and he looks completely reinvigorated this fortnight.
The 26-year-old Italian burst onto the scene last year, reaching the Wimbledon semifinals and winning Olympic Bronze in singles. It is little surprise that he has continued to perform brilliantly on clay this year (injury issues aside). Musetti plays like he walked out of a time-machine, utilizing an array of slices and off-speed shots to vary his tempo (though he can unwind on that forehand wing if he needs to). He is very tactically astute, with an uncanny knack of recovering from desperate situations in rallies. He is a canny all-court player who knows how to get around in the dirt. He will no doubt look to extend the rallies against Draper, moving the Brit from side to side to probe for physical weaknesses.
The Verdict: Musetti to win in three at 4.6- Draper has utterly dominated this rivalry, leading the Italian 3-0 in the head-to-head stakes. In fact, Musetti is yet to pinch a set off Draper, comfortably losing their most recent meeting at last year’s Vienna indoors. However, this will be their first career clay-court meeting. This has the makings of a classic, with Draper’s aggressive style going toe-to-toe with the cagey Italian. I jthink that Musetti’s high clay-court IQ could win the day here. He was exceptional against clay-court specialist Tsitsipas in their round of 32 clash, absorbing the Greek’s power and controlling his movement like a ventriloquist. This will be tight, but I think Musetti’s extensive variety should see him through in three.
