The departure of Carlos Alcaraz from the US Open on Thursday night sent shock waves through the tennis world.
It was one of the greatest upsets in grand slam history as world number 74 Botic van de Zandschulp despatched four-time major champion Alcaraz in straight sets.
It also marked a pivotal point in the campaign of Jack Draper at this year’s US Open, with the draw opening up nicely for the Brit to make a promising run.
Draper was set to face the Spaniard in the third round but is now presented with the opportunity to avoid a seeded player until the quarter-final at the earliest.
The 22-year-old is back in action today against the Dutchman, with both vying to capitalize on the moment.
Jack Draper reacts to Carlos Alcaraz US Open exit
Draper produced an awe-inspiring performance to beat reigning champion Carlos Alcaraz at Queen’s earlier this year but will be delighted to have been handed the opportunity to avoid the world number three on US soil.
Alcaraz was aiming to achieve an incredible feat of becoming just the third player in the Open Era to win the final three majors in a calendar year.
However, it was not meant to be, and his supreme efforts throughout the season seem to be catching up with him with three defeats in the space of a month.
Reflecting on Alcaraz’s match and his overall campaign, Draper offered his thoughts.
“I watched the first set and said to myself I’m going to sleep after the second set, but then I ended up staying up again after the third set,” Draper told Sky Sports. “It was interesting to watch.
“Botic played an incredible match. It’s not easy for Carlos to keep going all the time with such amazing success he has been having.
“We all understand as players, to go out every day that’s one of the toughest challenges of all and for someone who has done as much as he has this year, he will definitely be feeling it mentally and physically, because he is human at the end of the day.”
Draper can go deep at the US Open
Rising star Draper has displayed promising signs over the past two years, eventually clinching his first ATP title this summer and soaring to a career-high of number 25 in the world.
The 22-year-old has never progressed further than the fourth round of a major, which he achieved at last year’s US Open.
However, the draw has been blown wide open and it is now up to Draper to capitalize on the opportunity he is faced with.
He can progress to the quarter-final stage without facing a seeded player and it is then where he is projected to play world number ten Alex de Minaur.
Saturday’s matchup with van de Zandschulp will offer a clear insight into how Draper has reacted to the hype now surrounding him.
Receive exclusive tennis news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
