Jack Draper’s emphatic run at the US Open is ramping up after he cruised past Alex de Minaur in straight sets to book his spot in the last four.
Draper continued his perfect record at Flushing Meadows with another straight sets triumph, blitzing past the Australian 6-3, 7-5, 6-2 in his toughest battle yet.
The 22-year-old is the first British man to reach the semi-finals in New York since a certain Andy Murray did so in 2012.
His run parallels the fairytale story of the 2021 US Open as he follows in Emma Raducanu‘s footsteps to become the first player since his compatriot to win 15 consecutive sets at the tournament.
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Tim Henman praises Jack Draper for his response to adversity in US Open win
Although he was yet to drop his serve heading into the quarter-final stage, Draper admitted that it needed improvements, and he appeared to be right after he was eventually broken by de Minaur in each of the opening two sets.
But after a nervy few sets, the Brit slammed his foot on the gas pedal and cruised to a dominant victory to keep the dreams alive.
Dealing with the adversity that came in the opening two sets, which were tight, is what Tim Henman was so pleased with following the conclusion of the match.
“It is absolutely brilliant,” Henman told Sky Sports. “When I take my mind back to the [Tomas] Machac match, it was so straightforward.
“He never had to deal with adversity, and dealing with adversity in any professional sport is the most difficult bit. Today there was adversity because he could get distracted by what was going on in the second set and that was where Jack showed mental fortitude and maturity to find a way to come through it.
“Early on Draper was playing with such good tempo and looking to get on top early doors.”
Draper rolls on in New York
Jack Draper has set up an epic semi-final clash with world number one Jannik Sinner, who has been the standout player of 2024.
Draper shares a special bond with Sinner, having played doubles together in Montreal last month, but the Brit holds a surprising edge in their head-to-head record going into the match.
Draper established a name for himself in 2021 when he downed Sinner during his run to the quarter-finals at Queen’s, though they are yet to face each other since.
The Italian will undoubtedly enter as the clear favorite, but there is much promise in Draper’s form and reason to believe that he can kick it with the best.
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