Matching Report
Draper passes De Minaur, reaches SF major at US Open
The Briton will play top seed Sinner or fifth seed Medvedev next
September 04, 2024
Jamie Squire/Getty Images
Jack Draper celebrates after defeating Alex de Minaur on Wednesday to reach the semi-finals of the US Open.
By ATP staff
Just weeks after Andy Murray hung up his racquet, Jack Draper continues to remind British tennis fans that the future is bright.
Lefty, 22, beat 10th seed Alex de Minaur 6-3, 7-5, 6-2 on Wednesday evening at the US Open to reach his first Grand Slam semifinal. Draper produced a show full of booming serves and heavy, spinning groundstrokes to earn a two-hour, seven-minute victory and book a last-four meeting with World No. 1 Jannik Sinner or fifth seed Daniil Medvedev.
“It’s amazing, to be honest. To be out here in my first match on the biggest stage in the world, to be honest, it’s a dream come true for me,” said Draper, who is the first Briton to reach the semi-finals in New York since Murray won the title in 2012. in his interview in court. “All the support means the world.”
However to drop the set. ❄️@jackdraper0 downs de Minaur 6-3 7-5 6-2 to advance #USOVula semi-finalist!@uvule pic.twitter.com/02J7v9bMKG
– ATP Tour (@atptour) September 4, 2024
Draper, who has not dropped a set in his five matches so far in New York, converted six of 20 break points against De Minaur in his first quarter-final. He is just the fourth Briton overall to reach the US Open singles semi-finals in the Open Era, after Greg Rusedski (1997), Tim Henman (2004) and Murray (2008, 2011-12).
“I think I played a solid game,” reflected Draper inside Arthur Ashe Stadium. “I feel the wisest and fittest I’ve been in a long time, and I think that’s where Alex got me in the past. I also think that maybe he was struggling a little bit today with something, which might have helped me a little bit. But credit to Alex. He is an amazing hero and an incredible player. We will have many battles to come.”
Draper got off to a tough start in his quest for his first victory in four Lexus ATP Head2Head meetings with De Minaur. The Briton broke down his opponents in the opening game and that set the tone for much of the match as Draper’s ability to draw De Minaur into the field proved crucial.
Competing in her first singles event since Wimbledon due to a hip injury, De Minaur appeared to be aggravating the area again as Draper took the first set. Around the same time, Draper began to develop a niggle and later his upper right leg was wrapped by a physio at 2-1 in the second set. However, it did not stop the Briton from his victory.
Despite continuing to let go of a 4-2 lead in the second set, Draper produced a superb comeback in the second, decisive break in the 11th game. The third set was straightforward, as Draper dropped just six points before wrapping up a win that improved his record against Top 10 opponents to 4-11.
Whatever happens in the semi-finals, Draper’s run at Flushing Meadows has ensured that the Briton will climb to the top of the PIF ATP Rankings after the US Open. He is currently up five places to No. 20 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings, and could climb as high as 14th by reaching the championship match.
