Jack Draper suffers Adelaide International final defeat to Jiri ...
Jack Draper continues to search for the first ATP title of his career after he lost the Adelaide International final in three sets to Jiri Lehecka on Saturday.
Appearing in just his second-ever career singles final - having lost at the Sofia Open in November - the 22-year-old Brit clinched the first set, and forced two break points in the second, but could not win the third set decider as Lehecka prevailed 4-6 6-4 6-3.
Draper looked increasingly tired towards the end and will need to recover quickly ahead of a first-round meeting with American Marcos Giron at the Australian Open on Tuesday.
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The only real question mark surrounding whether Draper can reach the very top of the game is his body, with a succession of injuries stalling his progress last season.
His many talents were on display in the opening set against his fellow 22-year-old, with Draper breaking Lehecka's serve to love in the seventh game.
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The clean-hitting Czech, who reached the quarter-finals of the Australian Open last year, was hanging on in the second set but pulled off a miraculous volley winner at 4-4 0-30 and then took advantage of a nervous game from Draper to draw level.
The British No 4 became increasingly frustrated at the start of the decider, kicking his racket and screaming into his towel after dropping serve again.
He was unable to take three chances to get back on serve and it was Lehecka who got his hands on a first ATP Tour title.
Draper's Davis Cup team-mate Joe Salisbury did walk away with a trophy after he and American partner Rajeev Ram took the doubles title, narrowly beating Indian-Australian duo Rohan Bopanna and Matt Ebden.
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