Dazzling Draper Reaches US Open Quarter-Finals
Jack Draper says it means “the absolute world” to have reached his first Grand Slam quarter-final after an emphatic victory over Tomas Machac at the US Open.
The 22-year-old produced a brilliant display to beat the Czech 6-3 6-1 6-2.
Draper is the first Briton to reach the quarter-finals of the men’s singles at Flushing Meadows since Andy Murray in 2016.
“I thought I did the basics really well,” Draper told BBC Radio 5 Live.
“I increased my level when I needed to and I was pretty clinical in some moments and that was it really.
“I felt like I competed really well and did what I needed to do.”
Czech Machac had won the three previous matches between the pair but, after a strong start, was outclassed by a laser-focused Draper in just one hour and 44 minutes.
With a number of big names, most notably Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz, having gone out early, Draper has yet to drop a set in the tournament and has every reason to believe he can go all the way.
This was a statement performance in what has been a breakthrough year for the 6ft 4in left-hander, one that has included his maiden ATP title in Stuttgart and victory over Wimbledon champion Alcaraz at Queen’s.
He will face 10th seed Alex de Minaur next as both men bid to reach a first Grand Slam semi-final.
“I feel amazing being in the last eight,” Draper told Sky Sports.
“My first quarter-final, it means the absolute world to me. I’ve definitely felt more and more confident in myself.”
