US Open: Jack Draper advances to his first Grand Slam quarter-final as he defeats Tomas Machac | News Tennis

England’s Jack Draper advanced to the quarter-finals of the US Open as he dominated Tomas Machac with a straight sets victory.

Draper, 22, won 6-3 6-1 6-2 in imperious fashion. Amazingly so far at the US Open, the British No 1 has yet to drop a set.

They have lost three previous meetings with Macac and have yet to record this crucial victory at the most opportune time in Flushing Meadows.

Among the upsets that have lit up this year’s US Open, Spanish superstar Carlos Alcaraz has eliminated from Draper part of the round, potentially leaving the Briton another winnable route to the final stages.

But it was Machac who started the match with confidence, making Draper work hard to win his first two service games and looked like he could contain the enthusiasm of the British tennis fans as they leveled at 3-3 in the first set.

But if Draper took the first break against the open appearance of the play, he expertly pressed home the advantage from there.

He continued to play with relentless quality when the Macac broke up, at times arguing publicly with his own team.

This was not a problem for Draper as he found great form to dispatch Machac and progress to the quarter-finals.

Draper must work to close the show. In the toughest match of the match, the Englishman saved three break points to put himself on the brink of a 5-1 victory in the third set.

He turned the screw tighter as he inched ahead of Macac in the seventh game of the final set, with the Czech trying to hold serve just to put some gloss on the scoreboard.

A brilliant return of serve, the forehand tapped over the net inside the line, brought Draper to deuce. Machac challenged, slamming an ace past Draper as he managed to claim the game.

But that leaves Draper for victory. With quick hands, he grabbed the winning net. The British then hit a long shot, making it 15-15.

A double fault soon after gave Machac the lead in the game. Macac stretches that for two break points. Draper had to hold his nerve and defend his first break point when Macac attacked the line. A serve and a volley from Draper then steered him past that danger.

He broke serve to earn match point and led a late rally to take the match in style.

‘Honorary Brit’ De Minaur next…

Draper will play next Alex de Minaur for a place in the semi-finals after the 10th seed defeated his fellow Australian Jordan Thompson 6-0 3-6 6-3 7-5. For young Britons that will be seen as a real opportunity.

“So playing Jack, he’s going to have his best year,” the Australian said. “He plays with confidence. He has a huge weapon; his serve, his backhand, and his forehand at times. So it’s always difficult to face someone like him, especially a lefty.

“I’ve had success in the past. I’ll try and draw on what I can do in that match. It’s a Slam quarterfinal. I’ll go out there and give it my all and compete, and this match is there to win, not get the job done.

“So I’m looking forward to the opportunity and excited for the match.”

Asked if he was an honorary Englishman, De Minaur replied: “Depends on the day, depends on who’s playing, too. But yes, sometimes.

Elsewhere, the fifth seed Daniel Medvedev after a 6-0 6-1 6-3 win over Nuno Borges to set up an impressive quarter-final clash with the world no.1. Jannik Dosa. Italian language against American Tommy Paul 7-6 (7-3) 7-6 (7-5) 6-1 in the night session at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

‘I just have to keep going’

“The last time we played it was a battle. Today, I played at a decent level and maybe a little bit of my best,” said Draper afterwards.

“I have to stay strong at that point, and it’s amazing to play here. I lost last year in the same round, so it’s good to come back and do better.

“I just have to move on now. I love playing here in New York. I would go again, I love playing on this big stage.”

‘Draper ruined him’

Sky Sports’ pundit Tim Henman said: “Absolutely a masterclass and world class. He played against quality opponents and from 3-3 in the first set, Jack just destroyed people.

“What can be a challenge is making sure you stay aggressive, because you know you dominate your opponent, you know they make some unforced errors, but when you’re a bit passive, you give your opponent a chance to start dictating.

“Jack showed the maturity to continue to dominate, and to finish in the live set was fantastic.

“Machac was taught a lesson.”

Navratilova: Draper dominated the game all round

Martina Navratilova told Sky Sports: “Jack did a great job. He just stayed and kept playing the game. He only faced one break point until the end of the match.

“He dominated the whole round. Macac was a little dead, but what happened. Macac has not lost a plane in the whole tournament.

“I think Machac will be surprised by how well Draper does from the baseline. Draper beats him with everything and stands on the baseline.

“He’s really solid, he moves really well, and he has a really good wing.

“The mental part as well, as well as the physical part has been very good. It’s incredible.”

Swiatek celebrating 100. Grand Slam singles match in style

Number 1 in the world Iga Swiatek is closing in on his second title in New York after making quiet progress to the quarterfinals.

Ted Lasso actor Jason Sudeikis was in the crowd at Arthur Ashe and Swiatek was happy to channel everyone’s favorite football coach.

“I really avoided looking at the screen, but I saw him,” he said.

“I want to stay focused, I hope he appreciates my mentality because of what Ted Lasso is.”

American Jessica Pegula also returned to the quarterfinals after a 6-4 6-2 victory over Diana Shnaider – her seventh trip to the round of the Grand Slam tournament.

Pegula is 0-6 in major quarterfinals in his career and hopes to change that statistic in 2024.

Karolina Muchova upset Jasmine Paolini, the tournament’s fifth seed, as she beat the Italian, a French Open and Wimbledon finalist, 6-3 6-3.

The win saw the unseeded Czechs advance to the quarterfinals.

“I feel very happy to be here,” Muchova said Sky Sports Tennis. “I feel better on the pitch every game. I honestly don’t know what to expect coming here.

“This year is a little different – I’m coming in after an injury. To be honest, I don’t know what to expect. I’m happy that I’m in the quarter.

“I try to take it match by match,” he concluded. “I will try to focus and bring my best game to the next match and we will see where I will get.”

Brazil’s Beatriz Haddad Maia against Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark 6-2 3-6 6-3 to make the quarters.

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