Jack Draper waltzes into US Open semi-final and replicates Emma Raducanu record
Jack Draper has swooped into the semi-final of the US Open after a remarkable 6-3 7-5 6-2 victory over Alex de Minaur on Wednesday night to keep alive his dream of winning the tournament.
The 22-year-old also has yet to drop a single set at the US Open, an incredible record for the British No. 1 as he continues to navigate unchartered territory.
It has seen him go 15-0 in sets in the US Open main draw, and there are echoes to Emma Raducanu's miracle run in 2021.
During that year, aged just 18, Raducanu exploded onto the scene by winning the US Open without dropping a set - a total of 20 - and Draper is following the same route currently.
Jack Draper has yet to drop a set at the US Open
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The Sutton-born star had never reached the quarter-final of a Grand Slam prior to this tournament - let alone a semi-final - and he will now face either world No. 1 Jannik Sinner or Daniil Medvedev on Friday
The young ace, who has taken the tennis world by storm in the United States, took the first set in 39 minutes after a roaring start while De Minaur appeared to struggle somewhat as he moved a bit gingerly.
However, the Aussie seemed to play himself out of any potential injury trouble as he found his groove, returning some deadly serves with some venom of his own.
This is the first time that Draper has faced a player who is a higher seed than him at this year's US Open - and also his first ever time at the famous Arthur Ashe Stadium.
But he did not look daunted by the occasion at all, delivering what is becoming something of a penchant shot, hitting swerving balls down both lines to wrong foot his opponent.
The accuracy and power that Draper managed with such shots is some weapon to have in your arsenal, while his drop shots were also tidy.
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It was an excellent gameplan from the Briton, who had spent the least time on court (close to seven hours) out of all of the quarter-finalists by around an hour and a half.
Coming into the match, Draper had not dropped a single set in remarkable circumstances - only Novak Djokovic and Andre Agassi had dropped fewer games in making the US Open quarter-finals in the Open era.
Midway through the second set, De Minaur winced in pain after appearing to injury his hip with the medical staff waiting in the wings to intervene.
Jack Draper was in relentless form against Alex de Minnaur
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It was the same problem that dogged the world no. 10 at Wimbledon earlier this summer.
But in a surprising turn of events, it was Draper that needed immediate medical assistance with the physio strapping up his right leg with tape after feeling some pain in his hamstring.
It sparked concerns that the injury troubles that have dogged his early career already might be rearing its head again at the most difficult time.
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Jack Draper has been in stunning form in New York this year
And indeed, the youngster did seem to lose a bit of momentum that he had built up after his rapid start to the match with De Minaur winning the next game.
Draper came back to break point in a pivotal moment, though, to go on and win the second set - but he had to work hard for it after being pushed all the way to wrestle back the momentum.
And after breaking De Minaur's serve halfway through the third set, a relentless Draper went to win in straight sets yet again - keeping up his awe-inspring record of not dropping a single set.