Jack Draper is seamlessly filling the void left in British tennis after the retirement of Andy Murray with his emphatic run to the US Open semi-finals.
The 22-year-old continues to capture hearts as he blitzes his way into the last four at Flushing Meadows without dropping a set.
Draper knew he was facing his toughest challenge yet in the form of world number 10 Alex de Minaur, with the Australian prevailing in each of their previous three meetings.
However, Draper’s newfound aggressive approach continues to prove successful with another straight sets win, triumphing 6-3, 7-5, 6-2 and penciling in a semi-final clash with world number one Jannik Sinner on Friday.
In doing so, Draper has become the first man to reach the semi-finals of the US Open since Murray in 2012, offering a glimpse of the promising future that lies in store for the young Brit.
Jack Draper reflects on advice from Andy Murray
Andy Murray reached dizzying heights in the sport, and there have been doubts over whether the same accolades would be achievable by any of the rising British stars.
However, over the past fortnight in New York, Jack Draper has stepped up to the challenge with an awe-inspiring run to the semi-finals.
Fittingly it comes just a month after the 37-year-old hung his racket up at the Olympics in Paris.
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After his win over de Minaur, Draper reflected on the prior advice bestowed upon him by the three-time grand slam champion.
“I have spoken to Andy a few times in the past about playing big grand slam matches and all this type of thing,” Draper said. “I feel like when people you respect give you advice, it’s always good, but at the end of the day, it’s their experience.
“I think it’s important to live these situations for yourself and understand yourself because everyone reacts differently to different pressures, situations, and emotions. I know Andy is there for me if I need it but, at the same time, I feel pretty relaxed and I’m just taking it one day at a time.”
Draper forging his own path at the US Open
Although there is pressure on him to fill the large shoes left by Murray, Draper has insisted that he is forging his own path.
“I want to be Jack Draper, not Andy Murray,” he told ESPN. “If I think too much about trying to be like him and achieve all he has, that’s quite unrealistic to be honest.”
The 22-year-old’s immense maturity and professionalism have come to the fore during his run at the US Open and it is refreshing to see.
Although he heads into his semi-final clash with world number one Sinner as the heavy underdog, he has the minerals to succeed.
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