Second Serve: Jack Draper's clay progress after Madrid Open effort

Another inquest into the lack of British clay-court success opened at last year's French Open.

For the third time this century, the British singles players suffered a first-round wipeout at Roland Garros and led to many fans questioning - again - why the nation has struggled to produce players who win regularly on the red dirt.

Jack Draper was among the beaten Britons after an error-strewn defeat by Dutch qualifier Jesper de Jong.

Fast forward almost a year and Draper is now a clay-court ATP Masters finalist.

The British men's number one enjoyed a productive run at the Madrid Open before losing an intense three-set battle against two-time French Open runner-up Casper Ruud.

"There isn't a surface in my mind that Jack can't play on," former British number one Tim Henman told BBC Sport last month.

"When you look at his attributes – he's got a big, lefty serve, he hits his forehand with a lot of spin and power - they work on any surface, certainly on clay."

Despite his previous lack of success, Draper always felt he could challenge - providing he was primed physically.

More matches in the tank have been key for a player who has often been hampered by fitness issues.

The 23-year-old has gained greater belief in his body after coming through a series of gruelling five-set matches at the Australian Open in January.

Employing physio Shane Annun and fitness trainer Matt Little - who were both long-term members of Andy Murray’s team - has benefitted him.

"I went from thinking that I was weak and like I wasn't going to be able to carry on, to then feeling 'wow, I'm actually pretty strong'," Draper said.

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