Contesting the biggest match of his career at the US Open quarterfinals, Jack Draper dismantles 10th seed Alex de Minaur to become a first-time Grand Slam semifinalist at the US Open on Wednesday afternoon in New York.
Playing in Arthur Ashe Stadium, the world’s largest tennis stadium, world No. 25 Jack Draper rises to the occasion, defeating Australian Alex de Minaur 6-3, 7-5, 6-2 in two hours and seven minutes to become the first British man since 2012 to follow on Andy Murray footsteps, making it through the semifinals at the US Open on Wednesday at Flushing Meadows.
In his on-court interview, the Sutton-born said: “It’s amazing, honestly. To be out here for my first match on the biggest court in the world, honestly, it’s a dream come true for me. All the support means the world.”
The 22-year-old Briton continues to make headlines in the Big Apple, writing his own history at the major in capital letters without having dropped a service game en route to the tournament semifinals, winning all 15 sets he played, equalling world No. 5 Daniil Medvedev campaign, who achieved the feat in 2020.
British top racquet, who on Monday outlasted Czech Tomas Machac with a statement 6-3, 6-1, 6-2 fourth-round win in Louis Armstrong Stadium, delivered big against the Australian player, playing his first tour-level event since Wimbledon where he withdrew due to a hip injury, reaching a new career milestone, becoming a first-time major semifinalist.
During his post-match press conference on Monday, the 25th seed said to Sports Pundit: “I know there’s still room for improvement, hopefully, go further in the tournament.”
And so he did, with an explosive, intense display to dismantle his opponent, wise on the return game, while firing his booming serve, damaging his adversary with his lefty, adding to superb court coverage, which took a toll on De Minaur physically, though mentally he stayed focussed throughout the entire match.
He hit 40 winners to 30 unforced errors, converted six of 20 break points, won 18 to 25 net approaches, and won 84 percent of the points on his
He awaits the winner surging from the quarterfinal night clash between top seed Jannik Sinner and former US Open champion Medvedev.
More to follow…
