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The 23 year-old dispatched Matteo Arnaldi 6-0, 6-4 on Friday to reach his first clay-court tour-level semi-final and will now become just the fourth British player to reach the top five in the history of the ATP rankings, joining former world number-one Andy Murray, world number-four Tim Henman and world number-four Greg Rusedski.

Draper arrived in Madrid at number-six, having cracked the top 10 for the first time after winning his maiden ATP Masters 1000 title in Indian Wells in March. Draper has looked close to his best throughout his run in Spain, where he has eliminated Tallon Griekspoor, Matteo Berrettini, Tommy Paul and Arnaldi. He started the season at No. 15 and last year in Madrid was No. 43.

After becoming just the second left-hander this century alongside Rafael Nadal to crack the top five, Draper would move to within just 25 points of number-four in the ATP live rankings, Taylor Fritz, if he wins his fourth tour-level trophy in Madrid.

Draper, who did not face a break point in his 77-minute victory against Arnaldi, is 18-4 on the season and up to third in the ATP live race To Turin, surpassing Jannik Sinner, who returns from suspension next week in Rome.

Draper will continue his Madrid title quest in the semi-finals against Lorenzo Musetti or Gabriel Diallo. Musetti will also break new ground when he becomes the sixth Italian player since 1973 to crack the top 10.