2024-09-05 07:20:03
Jack Draper book his place in a first grand slam semi-final after a dominant win over Australia’s Alex de Minaur at the US Open.
The British No.1 had never reached this stage of a major before but showed no nerves at Flushing Meadows, continuing to progress without dropping a set in a 6-3, 7-5, 6-2 victory. Draper has been in unbelievable form so far during his campaign in New York and showcased his strokemaking style throughout, surviving a slight second set wobble to re-assert his authority and seal a straight sets win.
It was a disappointing performance from De Minaur, though the Australian appeared to be struggling at times with the hip issue that forced him to withdraw from this same stage at Wimbledon. The tenth seed was never able to match his opponent’s power-striking or challenge his serve often enough, stumbling out of the blocks and never recovering. Draper will take on Jannik Sinner or Daniil Medvedev on Friday for a place in the US Open final.
Re-live all the action from the US Open below:
Jack Draper v Alex de Minaur LIVE
-
Jack Draper thrashes Alex de Minaur to reach US Open semi-finals
-
GAME, SET AND MATCH! Dominant Draper seals straight sets victory
-
SECOND SET! British No 1 extends advantage (7-5) despite wobble
-
FIRST SET! Draper in control throughout to take it 6-3
-
ANALYSIS: Jack Draper is not ‘the next Andy Murray’ but he can emulate his friend and idol at US Open
Dynamite Jack Draper reaches first grand slam semi-final with US Open demolition job
21:39 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Jack Draper further announced himself as the new star of British tennis by reaching the US Open semi-finals.
In the first grand slam since Andy Murray ended his stellar career, Draper has stepped up into the limelight and is taking New York by storm.
His 6-3 7-5 6-2 win in the quarter-final against World No 10 Alex De Minaur saw him become the first British man to reach the last four at Flushing Meadows since Murray won it in 2012.
Dynamite Jack Draper reaches first grand slam semi-final with US Open demolition job
Jack Draper reacts to making a first grand slam semi-final
21:18 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Draper has set up a date with either Jannik Sinner or Daniil Medvedev, who play later on Arthur Ashe.
“It’s amazing. Honestly, to be out here in my first match in the biggest court in the world is a dream come true for me. It means the world.
“I think I played a solid match. I feel the best fitness wise I have been in a long, long time, and that’s where Alex has got me in the past. I think he was struggling with something today, but he’s an unbelievable fighter and we are going to have many more battles to come.
“I’m a big tennis fan so I’ll definitely be watching the match tonight if it doesn’t go too late. I’ll enjoy the win and relax.”
JACK DRAPER INTO US OPEN SEMI-FINALS!
21:13 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Jack Draper is a grand slam semi-finalist! Dominant and dynamite from the British No 1, too good for tenth seed Alex de Minaur: 6-3, 7-5, 6-2.
He’s into the final four without dropping a set!
Jack Draper* 6-3, 7-5, 5-2 Alex de Minaur
21:09 , Harry Latham-Coyle
And it’s going from bad to worse for Alex de Minaur, who can probably start looking at Thursday morning flights – another game goes on serve and Jack Draper is nearly there…
Jack Draper 6-3, 7-5, 4-2 Alex de Minaur*
21:06 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Draper digs himself out of danger from 15-40 to take another step towards the final four.
Jack Draper* 6-3, 7-5, 3-2 Alex de Minaur
21:01 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Jack Draper breaks! The British left-hander lifts his level and brings the finish line into sight, flashing a couple of lovely forehands past his opponent.
Jack Draper 6-3, 7-5, 2-2 Alex de Minaur*
20:57 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Magnificent movement from Alex de Minaur, scurrying at full pelt to scoop up a forehand passing shot after Jack Draper had failed to put the kibosh on the point. It matters not, though – we remain on serve in the third.
Jack Draper* 6-3, 7-5, 1-2 Alex de Minaur
20:52 , Harry Latham-Coyle
A slightly nervy backward glance from Alex de Minaur as he checks the flight path has been filed correctly on a Jack Draper lob he lefts go by, but the air traffic controller is spot on, the landing made on a runway down the tramlines. An ace up the middle is a rather pleasant way to hold again.
Jack Draper 6-3, 7-5, 1-1 Alex de Minaur*
20:50 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Jack Draper answers without undue fuss.
Jack Draper* 6-3, 7-5, 0-1 Alex de Minaur
20:47 , Harry Latham-Coyle
A strong start from Alex de Minaur, still walking tall as he refuses to let his head drop. How much is that hip bothering him? His rally in that second set was impressive but you do wonder whether the Australian can last what will have to be a five-setter for him to progress.
GAME AND SECOND SET! Jack Draper extends advantage!
20:42 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Jack Draper is a set away from a first grand slam semi-final! A brief wobble at the backend of the second, but Draper quickly reset and makes certain with a pretty backhand volley.
Jack Draper* 6-3, 6-5 Alex de Minaur
20:37 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Here he comes again, De Minaur having poked the pear and Draper swiping back. De Minaur nets a forehand and the British No 1 will serve for a two-set advantage.
Jack Draper 6-3, 5-5 Alex de Minaur*
20:33 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Steady as you like from Jack Draper, serving to stay in the set and producing a couple of colossal strokes. His coach urges him to back his ballstriking skills, the British player perhaps guilty of being a little too cute as he let his second set lead slkip.
Jack Draper* 6-3, 4-5 Alex de Minaur
20:30 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Three on the spin for Alex de Minaur with a hold achieved without facing a break point, a relative rarity today. The pressure follows the Australian’s winners across the net.
Jack Draper 6-3, 4-4 Alex de Minaur*
20:27 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Alex de MInaur breaks! Outstanding from the Aussie, back on level terms in the second as he refuses to succumb to Jack Draper’s power game. An ill-advised drop shot goes awry from Draper to give him a helping hand, but from 2-4 (0-40), this has been some sequence.
Jack Draper* 6-3, 4-3 Alex de Minaur
20:22 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Wallop! A mighty forehand winner from Jack Draper, his eighth of the match, is not far at all from Alex de Minaur but past the Australian in a flash as it clips the white stuff.
De Minaur ensures, though, that perhaps the shot of the match goes uncapitalised upon, again lifting his intensity to guts out a hold.
Jack Draper 6-3, 4-2 Alex de Minaur*
20:14 , Harry Latham-Coyle
A superb passing shot to save break point! Alex de Minaur looks to have played the point perfectly, navigating to the net but failing to put a block volley away, allowing Jack Draper to sweep to his left and carve a glorious forehand off the tip of the Australian’s racquet and into the far corner.
And Draper completes the escape! That feels like a potentially crucial hold to keep his momentum rolling.
Jack Draper* 6-3, 3-2 Alex de Minaur
20:06 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Lively counterpunching from Jack Draper, a couple of jabs and then a left hook of a forehand to secure a break point.
But De Minaur won’t simply fade away. A roar of “come on!” from the Sydneysider as he marches over to his chair.
Jack Draper 6-3, 3-1 Alex de Minaur*
20:02 , Harry Latham-Coyle
And Draper doesn’t break stride with the ball back in his hand, extending his advantage.
Jack Draper* 6-3, 2-1 Alex de Minaur
20:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle
The physio retrieves the tape and wraps it tightly around Draper’s right thigh, mummifying the muscle. Just precautionary, it would seem, and all done promptly during the change of ends.
Jack Draper* 6-3, 2-1 Alex de Minaur
19:57 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Oh no. Alex de Minaur paws at his sore hip, the medical staff waiting to attend to him at the change of ends. He’s clearly in discomfort, grimacing as he underweights a drop shot.
Jack Draper breaks again, and on comes the physio…but it is to Draper he goes! The British No 1 just slipped slightly at the end of the first set and wants his hamstring seen to.
Jack Draper 6-3, 1-1 Alex de Minaur*
19:54 , Harry Latham-Coyle
When Draper has landed his serve today, he’s been close to unstoppable. The leftie dropped just a single point on first serve in the opening set and that big wing flaps effectively in the second on his way to a comfortable hold.
Jack Draper* 6-3, 0-1 Alex de Minaur
19:52 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Alex de Minaur just needs to find some energy here. He holds at the start of the second to go ahead in the match for the first time. The Australian has not yet able to really make Jack Draper work often enough for his points.
Jack Draper wins the first set!
19:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle
But it is only a glimmer! Crisp, clinical and crunching tennis from Jack Draper, who takes the first set 6-3 in 39 minutes!
Jack Draper* 5-3 Alex de Minaur
19:43 , Harry Latham-Coyle
A strange change-up from Jack Draper at 30-15 with the set close, serving and volleying twice. The first foray forward works as Alex de Minaur fails to keep the ball in play, but he yorks himself on set point to keep the Australian alive.
And a double fault gives him a glimmer…
Jack Draper* 5-3 Alex de Minaur
19:38 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Battling stuff from Alex de Minaur, on the brink of losing the opening set four times in his service game but saving himself each time. A flapped Draper forehand into the mesh ensures he will have to serve at least once more…
Jack Draper 5-2 Alex De Minaur*
19:31 , Harry Latham-Coyle
The first set looks to be headed Jack Draper’s way, though. Alex de Minaur is struggling to consistenty get on top in the rallying, Draper generally able to use his weapons to control points.
Jack Draper* 4-2 Alex De Minaur
19:28 , Harry Latham-Coyle
A first hold from Alex de Minaur, tightening up after unforced errors eight and nine of the contest. Much needed.
Jack Draper 4-1 Alex De Minaur*
19:22 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Draper backs it up on this occasion, the languid leftie using those long levers to level a couple of aces before a crosscourt forehand completes the hold.
Jack Draper* 3-1 Alex De Minaur
19:20 , Harry Latham-Coyle
But there is no question that Draper has been the faster out of the gate. An ace threatens to drag Alex de Minaur out of danger having again fallen to 15-40, but a forehand clunks down out of the bounds of the court as Draper re-establishes his lead.
Jack Draper 2-1 Alex De Minaur*
19:16 , Harry Latham-Coyle
A double fault opens the door for Alex de Minaur to break back instantly, and the Australian obliges! An excellent response after a sluggish start.
Jack Draper* 2-0 Alex De Minaur
19:11 , Harry Latham-Coyle
A tough start for Alex De Minaur, a touch tight as he warms to his work and not finishing his groundstrokes in the manner that he would like to. 0-30 becomes 15-40 as Jack Draper wins an exchange at the net.
Two break points…and the Brit breaks immediately! De Minaur tugs a backhand wide.
Jack Draper 1-0 Alex De Minaur*
19:07 , Harry Latham-Coyle
A good start from Draper, an unreturned serve to open before a rally won decisively. An ace down the midddle, bent elegantly by the southpaw, keeps him ticking.
And the game is secured to love. Tidy.
Jack Draper* 0-0 Alex De Minaur
19:05 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Right, here we go. Two players hunting a first grand slam semi-final – Jack Draper will serve first.
Jack Draper vs Alex De Minaur
18:57 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Out the players come, Jack Draper striding out with a raised fist, saluting the crowd. Hmm…is Alex De Minaur’s gait just ever so slightly uncomfortable? The Australian also recognises a modest New York crowd, the spectators perhaps sensibly staying out of the heat of the afternoon sun or refreshing themselves at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Jack Draper is not ‘the next Andy Murray’ but he can emulate his friend and idol at US Open
18:50 , Lawrence Ostlere
Jack Draper and Andy Murray are both tennis players, but that’s just about where the likeness stops. At 22, Murray was still feeling his way into the spotlight after reaching the quarter-finals of Wimbledon, painted at the time as some kind of misanthrope, an implacable grump. By contrast Draper, who plays in his first grand slam quarter-final on Wednesday, is embracing the fame. “I quite enjoy being in front of the camera,” he told British Vogue while doing a cover shoot this summer. “If I’m looking good, that is.”
Jack Draper is not ‘the next Andy Murray’ but he can emulate his idol at US Open
Jack Draper and Alex De Minaur next on court…
18:46 , Harry Latham-Coyle
With the first match of the day done and dusted, it won’t be long now until Jack Draper and Alex De Minaur are out on court. It would appear that the Australian may have been struggling slightly in practice yesterday, De Minaur still working back up to full fitness after his Wimbledon withdrawal – is that hip injury becoming an issue again?
Karolina Muchova beats Beatriz Haddad Maia to reach US Open semi-finals
18:40 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Sealed in style! A crunching ace up the centre secures a straight sets victory for Karolina Muchova over Beatriz Haddad Maia, a performance of guts, guile and some fine strokemaking as the Czech battled through illness. 6-1, 6-4, and into the last four she goes!
Beatriz Haddad Maia 1-6, 3-4 Karolina Muchova*
18:26 , Harry Latham-Coyle
A break each way with this set perhaps reflecting how a slightly topsy-turvy Muchova is feeling. She takes a couple of tablets to try and steady herself and close it out.
Beatriz Haddad Maia 1-6, 2-3 Karolina Muchova*
18:17 , Harry Latham-Coyle
So, about that Beatriz Haddad Maia fightback – the Brazilian is broken in her next service game, Karolina Muchova manipulating the angles superbly. But the Czech looks to be in a bit of bother: having already left the court a couple of times, Muchova dashes away again after securing the break as she seemingly struggles with illness.
Beatriz Haddad Maia vs Karolina Muchova
18:11 , Harry Latham-Coyle
It’ll be either Iga Swiatek or Jessica Pegula up next for the winner of the day’s first quarter-final, and Beatriz Haddad Maia is looking much better in the opening games of the second set, her strokes crisper, her movements sharper. All on serve at 2-1 in the Brazilian’s favour.
Jack Draper v Alex de Minaur
18:00 , Mike Jones
Jack Draper has yet to drop a set and has not lost more than four games in a set during his US Open campaign.
Only Novak Djokovic (four times) and Andre Agassi have dropped fewer games in making the US Open quarter-finals in the Open era.
The Briton’s combined seven hours on court is the least of the quarter-finalists by around an hour and a half and it is only the third time Draper has gone beyond the second round of a major.
Karolina Muchova surges to first set against Beatriz Haddad Maia
17:58 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Draper and De Minaur will be on court at the conclusion of Karolina Muchova vs Beatriz Haddad Maia – which may be pretty soon, if the first set is anything to go by. Muchova, who is in some form, has surged out of the blocks to take it 6-1 and is already threatening Haddad Maia’s serve in the second.
Roger Federer says there are still questions to be answered over Jannik Sinner doping case
17:54 , Mike Jones
Roger Federer has questioned why Jannik Sinner was not provisionally suspended after the Italian world number one failed two drugs tests earlier in the year.
In March, Sinner twice tested positive for clostebol, an anabolic steroid. He claimed the steroid had entered his system through a massage from his physiotherapist, and was eventually cleared of any wrongdoing by an independent tribunal in August.
Federer weighed in on the debate when speaking to NBC, saying: “I understand the frustration of, ‘Has he been treated the same as others?’ And I think this is where it comes down to
“I think we all trust pretty much that Jannik didn’t do anything, but the inconsistency potentially that he didn’t have to sit out while they weren’t 100 per cent sure what was going on, I think that’s the question that needs to be answered.
“It’s not something we want to see in our sport — this type of news — regardless if he did something or not, or any player did. It’s just noise that we don’t want. I understand it’s a tricky situation. It’s the nightmare of every athlete and team to have these allegations and these problems.
“And it lives with you. Every morning when you wake up, you think, ‘Is somebody at the door coming to test me?’ So it’s really difficult.”
Jannik Sinner sets up quarter-final clash with Daniil Medvedev
17:48 , Mike Jones
Jannik Sinner set up a blockbusting US Open quarter-final with Daniil Medvedev in a repeat of the Australian Open final.
The world number one gave the best indication that he is in the right mental state to prosper in New York after a gritty three-set win over home favourite Tommy Paul in the fourth round.
Sinner came into the tournament under a black cloud after it was revealed he had escaped a ban, despite failing two anti-doping tests earlier this year.
Jannik Sinner sets up quarter-final clash with Daniil Medvedev
De Minaur on facing Draper
17:42 , Mike Jones
Alex de Minaur, whose girlfriend is British No.1 Katie Boulter, has won all three previous meetings against Jack Draper but is taking nothing for granted.
“I think the biggest thing that we need to understand is that there is nothing sure in tennis, right? Doesn’t matter how many times you’ve played someone. It doesn’t mean much,” he said.
“So playing Jack, he’s coming off his best year by far. He’s playing with a lot of confidence. He’s got some very big weapons; his serve, backhand, and forehand at times.
“So it’s always tough facing someone like him, especially a lefty.”
Draper happy to seek Andy Murray’s advice
17:36 , Mike Jones
The British No. 1 Jack Draper says he will not be afraid to tap into Andy Murray’s knowledge of playing on the biggest stage but does not want to disrupt his time on the golf course.
“I feel like he would completely understand and respond to any messages I send him and would give me advice, but I think also at the same time I think he’s kind of enjoying his retirement now, and he’s kind of done with it,” Draper said.
“I know if I have any questions or if I’m feeling something, then he’ll be the first person I text. I know that he’d be there for me if I need him.”
Jessica Pegula reaches her 7th Grand Slam quarterfinal. She is 0-6 at that stage so far
17:30 , Mike Jones
Jessica Pegula is back in the quarterfinals at the U.S. Open after a 6-4, 6-2 victory over Diana Shnaider on Monday, her seventh trip to that round at a Grand Slam tournament. Now comes the hard part: Pegula is 0-6 in major quarterfinals over her career.
The No. 6-seeded Pegula, an American whose parents own the NFL’s Buffalo Bills and NHL’s Buffalo Sabres, is on quite a run at the moment, having won 13 of her past 14 matches, all on hard courts. That included her second consecutive title in Canada and an appearance in the final at the Cincinnati Open, where she lost to No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka.
“I feel like there’s been more pressure this year, because I did so well coming into this tournament,” said the 30-year-old Pegula, the oldest woman left in the field. “I want to keep working my way and hopefully bringing my best tennis for the later rounds this time.”
US Open: Jessica Pegula reaches her 7th Grand Slam quarterfinal. She is 0-6 at that stage so far
‘Still a long way to go’ for Draper
17:22 , Mike Jones
Jack Draper feels he still has a lot to give and that he can go deeper into the US Open. He said: “I feel like there’s still a long way for me to go and a lot that I can still improve on in this tournament, and I think obviously as the challenge gets higher and as I play even better players, I think hopefully my level will increase with that.
“I think that’s the main thing about tennis. You know, we can’t play our best tennis all the time.
“It’s about how we’re coming through on the days when we’re not playing our best or when things aren’t perfect or when we’re not feeling great.”
Draper on progressing at US Open
17:16 , Mike Jones
“I think I’ve just got to keep on going because I know that there’s still room for improvement and still room to hopefully go further in the tournament,” said Jack Draper when asked about this great run at the US Open.
“I feel like in most of the matches I’ve just had to control what I can control. I feel like my base level is good, but I still feel like if I need to, I can improve my level a lot more.
Jack Draper blends style with substance to reach US Open quarter-finals in front of watching Vogue editor
17:10 , Mike Jones
Jack Draper is “incredibly proud” of reaching his first career grand slam quarter-final at the US Open – a feat pulled off with Vogue editor Anna Wintour watching in his box.
The 22-year-old destroyed Czech Tomas Machac in the fourth round to become the first British male quarter-finalist in New York since Andy Murray in 2016.
“To follow in Andy’s footsteps and make the quarter-finals here since he did it in 2016, it’s a big achievement for me,” he said after a 6-3, 6-1, 6-2 win. “I’m really, really proud of that achievement and hopefully I can do more.
Jack Draper blends style with substance as Vogue editor watches US Open victory
Where Jack Draper ranks among final contenders at Flushing Meadows
17:00 , Mike Jones
Jannik Sinner: 6/5
Age: 23
Nationality: Italian
World ranking: 1
Sinner enters the US Open in good form, having won the Cincinnati Open, though the doping allegations that have surrounded him since that tournament have clearly affected him.
The Italian is the overwhelming favourite with the bookies, perhaps courtesy of his recent record against Medvedev as well as his potential semi-final match-up against either de Minaur or Draper. He has won his last nine matches, including in the round of 16 against Tommy Paul, and is the ‘form player’ at the tournament.
In Daniil Medvedev he faces the only player left in the tournament to have previously won it, but as the rankings show, Sinner is in better form as he continues to grow as a player, and will hope to put the Wimbledon defeat behind him as he looks to add to this year’s Australian Open title.
Where Jack Draper ranks among final contenders at Flushing Meadows
16:50 , Mike Jones
Daniil Medvedev: 4/1
Age: 28
Nationality: Russian
World ranking: 5
Medvedev has already won the US Open once in his career, beating Novak Djokovic in the 2021 final, so he has the experience at Flushing Meadows that the others maybe lack. In addition, he has had perhaps the easiest run to this stage, so fresh legs may play a part against Jannik Sinner.
The Russian has a winning record of 7-5 against the Italian, with their last meeting ending with a Medvedev win at the quarter-final stage at Wimbledon. However, Sinner dominated in their last hard-court match.
Medvedev has been here before and against even better opposition, so perhaps his previous experience will be key.
Where Jack Draper ranks among final contenders at Flushing Meadows
16:40 , Mike Jones
Taylor Fritz: 12/1
Age: 26
Nationality: American
World ranking: 12
Fritz has enjoyed a relatively successful 2024, reaching three Grand Slam quarter-finals as well as the semi-finals of the doubles at Paris 2024.
He’ll got past Alexander Zverev in the quarters winning 7-6 (7-2) 3-6 6-4 7-6 (7-3) on the hard courts to book a place in the final four where he takes on fellow American Frances Tiafoe.
Where Jack Draper ranks among final contenders at Flushing Meadows
16:30 , Mike Jones
Jack Draper: 14/1
Age: 22
Nationality: British
World ranking: 25
In reality, Draper is the lowest-ranked player still remaining in the tournament, though the bookies are offering odds as low as 14/1 for the Briton to win the competition, so he is far from the highest odds.
As mentioned above, this is the 22-year-old’s first Grand Slam quarter-final, and he has three previous losses against his opponent, Alex de Minaur. In addition, if he does progress against the Australian, he would face the winner of the match between Jannik Sinner and Daniil Medvedev – probably the two toughest semi-final opponents you could ask for here.
Nevertheless, the Briton has one win over Sinner and one loss against Medvedev in their respective previous meetings, and with 2024 being his first injury-free year on the ATP Tour, you never know what the youngster is capable of serving up at Flushing Meadows.
Where Jack Draper ranks among final contenders at Flushing Meadows
16:20 , Mike Jones
Alex de Minaur: 14/1
Age: 25
Nationality: Australian
World ranking: 10
The Australian may be priced level with Jack Draper coming into their match, but the form sheet shows that he has all the tools to beat the young Briton when they meet, as proven by his superior record – three wins to Draper’s zero.
His best finish in any major tournament is this stage, so he will be desperate to advance to his first Grand Slam semi-final, and he has recovered well from an injury at Wimbledon.
Though Draper has yet to drop a set at Flushing meadows this year, he hasn’t faced a test as tough as de Minaur, and a reminder of the Australian’s ability may come as a shock to him come match day.
Where Jack Draper ranks among final contenders at Flushing Meadows
16:10 , Mike Jones
Frances Tiafoe: 25/1
Age: 26
Nationality: American
World ranking: 20
Tiafoe is seen as the underdog out of the remaining players, with prices varying between 20/1 and 28/1. The American faced ninth seed Grigor Dimitrov in his quarter-final, though the Bulgarian retired through injury.
Nevertheless, Tiafoe has home support behind him, and the relevance of this can never be overlooked, with that same support having helped him to the semi-finals in 2022 before he lost in five sets to eventual champion Carlos Alcaraz. Tiafoe faces Fritz in the semi-finals, so he could be quietly confident having made it past Dimitrov.
Jack Draper is not ‘the next Andy Murray’ but he can emulate his friend and idol at US Open
16:00 , Mike Jones
Jack Draper and Andy Murray are both tennis players, but that’s just about where the likeness stops. At 22, Murray was still feeling his way into the spotlight after reaching the quarter-finals of Wimbledon, painted at the time as some kind of misanthrope, an implacable grump. By contrast Draper, who plays in his first grand slam quarter-final on Wednesday, is embracing the fame. “I quite enjoy being in front of the camera,” he told British Vogue while doing a cover shoot this summer. “If I’m looking good, that is.”
Draper posed in checked coats and leather jackets with curls of hair bouncing off his forehead like Danny Zuko, one of his many hairstyles. “I’ve done a buzzcut, a mohawk, a mullet…” he said. Meanwhile, Murray was recently asked what advice he’d give to his younger self. “Get a haircut,” he replied. “And get some clothes that fit.”
Jack Draper is not ‘the next Andy Murray’ but he can emulate his idol at US Open
Twenty and out for Salisbury
15:45 , Mike Jones
Joe Salisbury’s US Open invincibility is now over after he lost in the men’s doubles.
Salisbury and American partner Rajeev Ram were on a 20-match winning streak that had seen them claim the 2021, 2022 and 2023 titles in New York.
Seeded third, they would have been hopeful of extending their run against American pair Nathaniel Lammons and Jackson Withrow on Grandstand but slipped to a surprise loss.
Draper breaks new ground
15:30 , Mike Jones
Jack Draper said he is “incredibly proud” of reaching his first career grand slam quarter-final at the US Open.
The 22-year-old destroyed Czech Tomas Machac in the fourth round to become the first British male quarter-finalist in New York since Andy Murray in 2016.
“I’m incredibly proud of that achievement,” he said after a 6-3 6-1 6-2 win,” he said.
“Obviously, it’s one of the biggest tournaments in the world.”
Aryna Sabalenka edges even closer to third grand slam win at US Open
15:15 , Mike Jones
Aryna Sabalenka has inched closer to her first US Open title after breezing into the semi-final.
The world number two, who was beaten at Flushing Meadows last year by Coco Gauff, proved to be too much for Olympic champion Qinwen Zheng to handle in a repeat of the Australian Open final in Melbourne.
The Belarusian was victorious, getting the better of her Chinese opponent with a final score of 6-1 6-2.
Aryna Sabalenka edges even closer to third grand slam win at US Open
Taylor Fritz on reaching semi-finals
15:00 , Mike Jones
“I feel amazing, I have had a lot of looks at quarter-finals over the last few years and today just felt different,” said American Taylor Fritz.
“I really felt like it was my time to go a step further. It’s only fitting I’m doing it here on this court at the Open in front of this crowd. I think the way I came out today was different because I just have been in this situation enough times.
“I think a question I got asked pretty much every time I lost in my quarter-finals was, ‘What’s it going to take to go further?’, and the answer I gave was always, just keep putting myself in these situations, and I’ll become more comfortable in these situations and get better.”
He added: “That’s definitely what happened now. The quarter-finals didn’t feel like, I don’t know, this big thing to me like it has been, I guess, in the past. It just felt like another tournament.”
Tiafoe ‘happy’ to get through to semi-finals
14:45 , Mike Jones
There is a real chance of a American winner in New York for the first time since 21 years ago, with France Tiafoe telling the press that beating Dimitrov due to an injury was “not the way he wanted to get through”.
“But, I’m happy to get through. Another semi-final here. Incredible,” he said.
“It was a really high-level match, I liked where I was at in the third regardless, but I didn’t want to end it like that.”
He added: “But you get to see me against another American so Friday is going to be one hell of a day.”
Grigor Dimitrov disappointed in injury
14:30 , Mike Jones
Dimitrov revealed he was disappointed with the outcome of his match against Frances Tiafoe, but his overall fitness is his priority.
He said: “I think it’s a combination from everything. Clearly my rehab process is a little bit slower than before. I felt a couple of things in prior the match.
“I think I have enough experience in myself to know where there’s no point to continue any further on that, and I think it’s just simple as that. Do I like doing it? No, but that’s that.”
Frances Tiafoe and Taylor Fritz set up all American showdown
14:15 , Mike Jones
There will be an American in the men’s final of the US Open for the first time since 2006 after Frances Tiafoe set up a blockbuster of a semi-final against Taylor Fritz.
Hours after Fritz disposed of fourth seed Alexander Zverev in the quarter-final, Tiafoe followed suit by beating an injured Grigor Dimitrov 6-3 6-7 (5) 6-3 4-1.
It was not the way Tiafoe would have wanted to win as 34-year-old Dimitrov sustained an injury at the end of the third set.
Dan Evans runs out of steam in defeat to Alex de Minaur
14:00 , Mike Jones
Earlier in the tournament Alex de Minaur came up against another Brit in Dan Evans. Here’s how that match went down:
Dan Evans runs out of steam in defeat to Alex de Minaur
Demon’s a fellow Brit
13:45 , Mike Jones
Jack Draper’s opponent Alex de Minaur says he is sometimes treated as an “honourary Brit”.
The Australian is the boyfriend of British number one Katie Boulter, but enjoyed taking out Dan Evans in round three.
Asked if he was almost British, he replied: “Depends on the day, depends who I’m playing, as well. But yeah, at times. At Wimbledon I was.”
Draper dreaming big
13:30 , Mike Jones
Jack Draper is daring to dream big in New York and is not ready to stop at the quarter-finals, where he meets Alex de Minaur.
By thrashing Tomas Machac on Monday, Draper became the first British man to reach the last eight since Andy Murray in 2016.
He has yet to drop a set in his opening four matches, with his form echoing that of fellow Briton Emma Raducanu, who claimed the US Open title in 2021.
Draper on beating Tomas Machac
13:15 , Mike Jones
Speaking on court after his fourth round win Jack Draper said: “I thought the last few times we played was a really decent battle. He was maybe a little off his best.
“I lost last year in the same round so it is nice to come back and go one better.
“I just need to keep going; I love playing here in New York, and I will just go through it again, I love playing on these big stages, I look forward to coming out again on Wednesday.”
Jack Draper thrashes Tomas Machac to reach first grand slam quarter-final
13:00 , Mike Jones
Jack Draper booked his place in a first career grand slam quarter-final as he demolished Tomas Machac in the US Open fourth round.
Draper has always loved playing in New York, where the fast courts help his style, and he will now be dreaming big, having not dropped a set in his opening four matches.
His form is bringing back memories of Emma Raducanu, who famously flew under the radar to win the tournament in 2021, and Draper will be hoping to emulate her in the next week.
Jack Draper thrashes Tomas Machac to reach first grand slam quarter-final
Wednesday’s order of play
12:45 , Mike Jones
Arthur Ashe Stadium: Session starting 12.00pm local time, 5pm BST
Beatriz Haddad Maia vs Karolina Muchova
Jack Draper vs Alex de Minaur
Arthur Ashe Stadium: Session starting 7pm local time, 12 am BST
Iga Siwatek vs Jessica Pegula
Jannik Sinner vs Daniil Medvedev
How can I watch it?
12:30 , Mike Jones
The US Open is being shown live on Sky Sports Tennis throughout the fortnight.
If you’re travelling abroad and want to watch major sporting events, you might need a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Our VPN round-up is here to help and includes deals on VPNs in the market. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are, and also with the terms of their service provider.
When is Jack Draper vs Alex de Minaur?
12:15 , Mike Jones
The match will be played today and is scheduled for around 6pm BST, depending on when women’s quarter-final Beatriz Haddad Maia v Karolina Muchova finishes.
Draper’s run to the US Open quarter-finals
12:00 , Mike Jones
Jack Draper has secured a first grand slam quarter-final appearance at Flushing Meadows against Alex de Minaur.
The British number beat Botic van de Zandschulp, who knocked out Carlos Alcaraz, in the third round, and then beat Tomas Machac to reach the last eight.
The draw has opened up for those still in contention, with high seeds Novak Djokovic, Andrey Rublev and Casper Ruud all making early exits.
But De Minaur has got the better of Draper in all three previous meetings between the two players, including earlier this year at Acapulco on the same surface, where Draper retired in the third set at 4-0 down.
Good afternoon!
10:53 , Mike Jones
Welcome to The Independent’s coverage of tonight’s US Open action as Jack Draper attempts to reach the last-four at Flushing Meadows.
The British No.1 has been a delight during the competition, sweeping aside all four of his opponents in straight sets to reach a Grand Slam quarter-final for the very first time. His opponent today is Australia Alex de Minaur who is the No. 10 seed for the US Open and will no doubt prove to be Draper’s toughest contest so far.
De Minaur defeated his Australia compatriot Jordan Thompson in the previous round and is a dangerous, stylish player who has his sights on a major victory.
The players go head-to-head at the Arthur Ashe Stadium and are expected on court around 6pm BST but we’ll have all the build up and other results from the US Open beforehand so stick with us.
