Jack Draper has swooped into the semi-final of the US Open after a remarkable 6-3 7-5 6-2 victory over Alex de Minaur on Wednesday night to keep alive his dream of winning the tournament.
The 22-year-old also has yet to drop a single set at the US Open, an incredible record for the British No. 1 as he continues to navigate unchartered territory.
It has seen him go 15-0 in sets in the US Open main draw, and there are echoes to Emma Raducanu’s miracle run in 2021.
During that year, aged just 18, Raducanu exploded onto the scene by winning the US Open without dropping a set – a total of 20 – and Draper is following the same route currently.
The Sutton-born star had never reached the quarter-final of a Grand Slam prior to this tournament – let alone a semi-final – and he will now face either world No. 1 Jannik Sinner or Daniil Medvedev on Friday
The young ace, who has taken the tennis world by storm in the United States, took the first set in 39 minutes after a roaring start while De Minaur appeared to struggle somewhat as he moved a bit gingerly.
However, the Aussie seemed to play himself out of any potential injury trouble as he found his groove, returning some deadly serves with some venom of his own.
This is the first time that Draper has faced a player who is a higher seed than him at this year’s US Open – and also his first ever time at the famous Arthur Ashe Stadium.
But he did not look daunted by the occasion at all, delivering what is becoming something of a penchant shot, hitting swerving balls down both lines to wrong foot his opponent.
The accuracy and power that Draper managed with such shots is some weapon to have in your arsenal, while his drop shots were also tidy.
