Aussie hopeful Alex De Minaur is one win away from claiming back-to-back titles in Acapulco as he outlasted Great Britain's Jack Draper in three sets. Unlike his unfavourable 0-10 head-to-head against Stefanos Tsitsipas last round, De Minaur arrived confident after beating Draper in their two previous meetings - including a come-from-behind win on the Tokyo hard courts in October. De Minaur flew out of the blocks early and looked the fresher of the pair, winning 80 percent of first-serve points and finding the break on two occasions to pull away with the opening set. A lapse in concentration by the 25-year-old handed the early advantage to Draper with the break - and the Brit looked the more comfortable to swing the momentum in his favour. Despite this, the belief and never-say-die attitude of De Minaur ensured his opponent would be required to stay on his toes, producing an incredible rally as he used his speed at the net to convert a winner and remind the Mexican crowd of his talent. Up a double-break in the second, Draper called for the doctor as he seemed visibly unwell, struck down with illness. However, he held his composure and sent the semi-final into a decider. Undoubtedly struggling with fitness, Draper surrendered to trail 0-4 in the third as De Minaur ensured he kept the ball in play at every opportunity to capitalise on his opponents' physical pain. The match would end prematurely with Draper forced to retire as De Minaur progressed 6-3, 2-6, 4-0 ret. in one hour and 48 minutes. De Minaur will have the chance to defend his crown tomorrow as he awaits either Casper Ruud or Holger Rune.