Jack Draper has kept his US Open dreams alive after beating Alex de Minaur in the quarter-finals in New York.
Nick Kyrgios backed De Minaur to beat Draper, but his prediction proved wrong as the Briton overcame the Australian in straight sets.
The duo battled it out at Arthur Ashe Stadium, with the 25th seed beating the 10th seed 6-3, 7-5, 6-2 in their US Open clash.
Draper didn’t want to disturb Andy Murray before his quarter-final, with the latter having won the Grand Slam back in 2012.
But it turns out he didn’t need much help from his compatriot, with Draper now earning a semi-final meeting with Jannik Sinner.
Jack Draper issues injury update after his US Open quarter-final win
The world number one is the favourite to go on and lift the trophy, having beaten Daniil Medvedev in their quarter-final.
But Draper will give it his all, although he could have a slight worry ahead of the match, having discussed an injury problem in his quarter-final press conference.
READ MORE: How much prize money the 2024 US Open will pay players and every winner
“I felt something on set point in the first set,” said Draper. “I was a little bit worried about it at the time but then I played two sets on it.
“One of the things this year which has helped me to be better is that I am mentally a lot better. I feel like I am aware I am playing so much tennis and competing so much and putting my body through so much that I am going to pick up niggles and injuries, and I have to keep on going.
“At the end of the day it didn’t get any worse and I felt good towards the end. I was happy that it didn’t turn into a problem.”
Can Jack Draper win the US Open?
British fans were thrilled to see Murray lift the prestigious US Open trophy 12 years ago, but they haven’t had much to celebrate at the tournament since then.
Draper has, however, given them hope of a Murray repeat, with the young Briton storming into his first Grand Slam semi-final.
READ MORE: The Tennis Gazette’s expert writers predict every key 2024 US Open storyline
The 22-year-old had only ever reached the fourth round of a major before, with that run coming at Flushing Meadows last year.
Andrey Rublev knocked out Draper at that stage in 2023, but the latter has stormed to his best finish this time around.
It can, of course, get so much better, but the Briton now faces a mammoth task in trying to overcome top seed Sinner.
The Italian is bang in form, having just won the Cincinnati Open, although anything really is possible at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Receive exclusive tennis news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
