In a dominant display of tennis, Jack Draper secured his spot in the quarter-finals of a Grand Slam for the first time in his career with an impressive 6-3 6-1 6-2 victory over Tomas Machac at the US Open. The British No. 1 showcased his skills from the beginning to the end of the match, not dropping a set in New York this year.
Draper’s swift victory over Machac only took one hour and 42 minutes, earning him a chance to face the winner of an all-Australian match-up between Alex de Minaur and Jordan Thompson in the next round. This achievement marked Draper’s best run at a major tournament, surpassing his previous performance of reaching the last 16 at Flushing Meadows last year, as he advanced to the quarter-finals this time around.
Reflecting on his success, Draper expressed his delight at the opportunity to play at Louis Armstrong Stadium, stating, “It’s just amazing to play out here in Louis Armstrong Stadium. I lost last year here in the same round, so it’s nice to come back and do better this year.”
The 22-year-old’s confident performance was evident as he served five aces and committed only six unforced errors compared to Machac’s 16. Draper demonstrated his composure throughout the match, not allowing Machac any break point opportunities in the opening set.
As the match progressed, Draper maintained his momentum, breaking Machac early in the third set to secure a commanding lead. Despite the Czech player’s efforts, Draper remained in control, ultimately claiming victory with little over an hour on the clock.
Acknowledging the impact of Andy Murray on his career, Draper praised the British tennis legend, saying, “I obviously miss Andy. Shout out to Andy. What an unbelievable career the guy’s had. He’s an icon of the game. I miss him in the changing rooms. I miss being next to his stinky shoes and all his stinky clothes. Andy’s a legend and if I have half the career that he’s had, then I’ll be a happy man.” The admiration for Murray’s achievements and influence on Draper’s career highlighted the respect and admiration the young player holds for his fellow Brit.