Jack Draper states it represents “the whole world” to have earned his first Grand Slam quarter-final behind a decisive triumph over Tomas Machac at the US Open.
The 22-year-old had a bright show to win the Czech 6-3 6-1 6-2.
Draper is the foremost Briton to achieve the quarter-finals of the gentlemen’s bucks at Flushing Meadows since Andy Murray in 2016.
“I believe I did the basics okay,” Draper informed BBC Radio 5 Live.
“I feel I performed well.”
Czech Machac had conquered the three last games between the team but, after a powerful start, by a laser-focused Draper in only one hour and 44 minutes.
With many big terms, most notably Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic, having reached out early, Draper has finally to settle a set in the match and has every reason to think he can run all the way.
This was an idea concert in what has been a year for the 6ft 4in left-hander, one that has retained his maiden ATP championship in Stuttgart and victory over Wimbledon winner Alcaraz at Queen’s.
He will meet 10th seed Alex de Minaur following as both guys bid to reach a rather Grand Slam semi-final.
“My foremost quarter-final represents the absolute earth to me. I’ve felt more and more secure in myself.”
Calm Ruthlessness Sees Jack Draper Through
Machac, 23, created the more promising beginning to the match, setting himself with a flurry of crunching forehands and bringing Draper to deuce in the Briton’s opening benefit match.
But Draper fought the early storm, dropped in with three authorities in his next benefit game, and soon started to take control.
He was given the first crack when Machac placed a standard overhead into the trap and then went lengthy, but took full benefit, beating a scorching backhand down the stripe to bring up two set ends before restoring a third.
After establishing his authority from the baseline in the first, Draper revealed his deft contact to begin the second with a couple of fine drop shots.
Draper, his enemy was increasing ever more frustrated, and heated conversations with trainer Daniel Vacek between – and during – plays became the norm.
Double marks were becoming a problem for the Czech world numeral 39 and two in a fun enabling his opposition to break at the foremost time of questioning in the second set.
Having got the edge, Draper was brutal as he drove serenely around the bench, coolly staving off a break-back issue before reaching his second leave to go up 5-1.
