Jack Draper, the world number 25, defeated Australia’s 10th seed Alex de Minaur 6-3, 7-5, 6-2 on Wednesday at the Arthur Ashe Stadium, reaching his first-ever Grand Slam semi-final US Open last four.
It’s a huge, dominant victory for the 22-year-old who has this way become the first British man to enter the last four since Andy Murray’s iconic victory in 2012.
“A Dream Come True”
Draper’s talent combined with his extraordinary grit proved to be much more powerful than the leg problem he confronted at the start of the second set and for which he received treatment.
De Minaur was also no stranger to injury but Draper seemed more determined to scoop up the historical victory that will see him play world number one Jannik Sinner on Friday.
Commenting on this accomplishment, Draper player said that playing his first match on the biggest court in the world “is a dream come true“.
Draper, whose US Open run is familiar with fellow Briton Emma Raducanu who recorded an incredible victory three years ago, also hinted at de Minaur’s struggles “which may have helped me“.
Similar to Raducanu, Draper made it to the last four without losing a set, further proving his year-long, steady talent and skill. Can Draper continue his run to the final? Checkout the latest Offshore Bookmakers for live odds of the US Open.
In 2023, the player who became British number one in June 2024, reached the fourth round in New York but his injuries kept him outside the world’s top 100.
Draper and Sinner, Occasional Doubles Partners
23-year-old Sinner defeated ex-champion Daniil Medvedev in what proved to be a topsy-turvy match that ended 6-2 1-6 6-1 6-4 for the Italian.
What is even more interesting is that Sinner and Draper are occasional doubles partners.
The player who won the Australian Open in January commented on Friday’s semi-final, saying “it’s going to be very tough” since the two players “know each other very well” and are “good friends off the court“.
While Draper will enter the semi-final as an underdog after only 48 hours of recovery and injury treatment, history has proven special things can happen to British players when in New York.
He will try to mimic Kyle Edmund’s run at the 2018 Australian Open and make it from the last four to the final.
Who will win the 2024 US Open? Players from the UK can visit our Best Non UK Betting Sites.