Jack Draper dances into the semifinals of the US Open and breaks Emma Raducanu’s incredible record
Jack Draper reached the semifinals of the US Open after a remarkable 6-3, 7-5, 6-2 victory over Alex de Minaur on Wednesday evening, keeping his dream of winning the tournament alive.
The 22-year-old has also not dropped a single set at the US Open, an incredible record for the British number 1, who continues to break new ground.
This gave him a 15-0 set record in the main draw of the US Open, breaking Emma Raducanu’s record of 14 sets when she won the Grand Slam in 2021.
Draper had never reached the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam before this tournament – let alone a semifinal – and will now face either world number one Jannik Sinner or Daniil Medvedev on Friday.
Jack Draper has not lost a set at the US Open
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The young star, who has taken the tennis world by storm in the United States, won the first set in 39 minutes after a roaring start, while De Minaur seemed to struggle a little as he moved a little cautiously.
However, the Australian seemed to play his way out of possible injury problems, regaining his form and returning some deadly serves with a certain bite.
This will be Draper’s first time competing against a higher-seeded player at this year’s US Open – and also his first time ever at the famous Arthur Ashe Stadium.
But he didn’t seem to be intimidated by the situation at all and delivered a shot that has become something of a favorite: He hit angled balls on both lines and thus caught his opponent off guard.
The precision and power Draper achieved with such strikes is a weapon to have in one’s arsenal, and his stoppage strikes were also decent.
It was an excellent game plan from the Briton, who spent the least time on the court of all the quarter-finalists, at around an hour and a half (almost seven hours).
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Jack Draper was in relentless form against Alex de Minnaur
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It was the same problem that plagued the world number 10 at Wimbledon earlier this summer.
But there was a surprising turn of events: Draper, of all people, needed immediate medical attention. The physiotherapist bandaged his right leg with adhesive tape after he felt pain in his thigh muscles.
This sparked concerns that the injury problems that plagued him early in his career could resurface at the most difficult time.
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And indeed, the young man seemed to lose some of the momentum he had built up after his rapid start to the match, as De Minaur won the next game.
However, Draper came back on break point at a crucial moment to win the second set – but he had to work hard to regain the momentum after being under pressure the whole time.
And after breaking De Minaur’s serve midway through the third set, a tireless Draper won again in straight sets – confirming his impressive record of not dropping a single set.
