Alex de Minaur vs. Jack Draper result, score as Australian reigning champion into Mexican Open final in Acapulco

Kieran Francis

Alex de Minaur vs. Jack Draper result, score as Australian reigning champion into Mexican Open final in Acapulco image

Defending champion Alex De Minaur is into the Mexican Open once again after outlasting Jack Draper in the semi-final on Saturday.

After beating Stefanos Tsitsipas for the first time in 11 attempts in the quarter-finals, the Australian third seed recovered from a mid-match dip to defeat the Brit 6-3 2-6 4-0, who need to retire after one hour, 48 minutes.

De Minaur will attempt to defend his title against sixth seed Casper Ruud, who just managed to get past Holger Rune in an epic three-setter.

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It was a fast start for De Minaur with breaks in the fifth and ninth games, before wrapping up the first set 6-3.

However, the Aussie took the foot off the pedal almost immediately, letting Draper break in the first game of the second set.

Draper looked the better player as he broke De Minaur again and winning the second set 6-2.

But in the all-important third set, De Minaur showed his fitness levels by pushing out to 4-0 lead before Draper pulled the pin on the match.

It's sadly been a story of Draper's career so far - supremely talented but blighted with fitness struggles.

De Minaur has continued his quality form in 2024, reaching his second final after going down to Jannik Sinner in Rotterdam last month.

It will be an unfamiliar match-up in the Acapulco final for both De Minaur and Ruud, with their only two meetings occurring more than four years ago, sharing a 1-1 win-loss record.

Alex de Minaur past singles results, next match

Date  Opponent/Result Tournament/Round
Dec. 29, 2023 def. 6-4 2-6 7-6(2) by Cameron Norrie United Cup (group stage)
Jan. 1, 2024 def. Taylor Fritz 6-4 6-2 United Cup (group stage)
Jan. 3, 2024 def. Novak Djokovic 6-4 6-4 United Cup (QF)
Jan. 6, 2024 def. Alexander Zverev 5-7 6-3 6-4 United Cup (SF)
Jan. 10, 2024 def. Carlos Alcaraz 6-4 5-7 10-3 Charity Match
Jan. 15, 2024 def. Milos Raonic 6-7(6) 6-3 2-0 Aus. Open (R1)
Jan. 17, 2024 def. Matteo Arnaldi 6-3 6-0 6-3 Aus. Open (R2)
Jan. 19, 2024  def. Flavio Cobolli 6-3 6-3 6-1 Aus. Open (R3)
Jan. 21, 2024 def. by Andrey Rublev 6-4 6-7(5) 6-7(4) 6-3 6-0 Aus. Open (R4)
Feb. 13, 2024 def. Sebastian Korda 6-4 6-3 Rotterdam (R1)
Feb. 15, 2024 def. David Goffin 6-3 6-1 Rotterdam (R2)
Feb. 17, 2024 def. Andrey Rublev 7-6(5) 4-6 6-3 Rotterdam (QF)
Feb. 18, 2024 def. Grigor Dimitrov 6-4 6-3 Rotterdam (SF)
Feb. 19, 2024 def. by Jannik Sinner 7-5 6-4 Rotterdam (F)
Feb. 22, 2024 def. by Alex Michelsen 6-4 6-1 Los Cabos (R1)
Feb. 26, 2024 def. Taro Daniel 6-2 6-1 Mexican Open (R1)
Feb. 29, 2024 def. Sebastian Ofner 6-1 6-3 Mexican Open (R2)
Mar. 1, 2024 def. Stefanos Tsitsipas 1-6 6-3 6-3 Mexican Open (QF)
Mar. 2, 2024 def. Jack Draper 6-3 2-6 4-0 ret. Mexican Open (SF)
Mar. 3, 2024 vs. Casper Ruud Mexican Open (F)

Alex de Minaur ranking

De Minaur is currently the world No. 9 in men's singles – a career high.

In doubles, the Australian is the world No. 177.

Alex de Minaur prize money

According to the official ATP website, de Minaur has taken home US$12,072,381 (AU$18,460,433) in tournament winnings. 

That sum includes prize money from both singles and doubles events. 

Kieran Francis

Kieran Francis Photo

Kieran Francis is a senior editor at The Sporting News based in Melbourne, Australia. He started at Sportal.com.au before being a part of the transition to Sporting News in 2015. Just prior to the 2018 World Cup, he was appointed chief editor of Goal.com in Australia. He has now returned to The Sporting News where his passions lay in football, AFL, poker and cricket - when he is not on holiday.