US Open: Jack Draper defeats Botic van de Zandschulp to succeed in final 16 at Flushing Meadows

Jack Draper hurtled into the second week of the US Open as he beat Botic van de Zandschulp in straight units to succeed in the fourth spherical at Flushing Meadows. 

The British No 1 cruised to a 6-3 6-4 6-2 victory in simply over two hours in opposition to the Dutchman, who had produced one of many biggest upsets in trendy Grand Slam historical past by knocking out Carlos Alcaraz earlier within the week.

In doing so he arrange a fourth-round conflict with Tomas Machac following the Czech’s win over David Goffin, with Draper eyeing a spot within the US Open quarter-finals for the primary time in his profession.

Draper was dominant when it got here to the large factors within the match as he convert 5 of eight break alternatives, Van de Zandschulp managing simply one in all 10 in distinction.

The Dutchman was in the meantime responsible of 23 unforced errors on his forehand in comparison with Draper’s 9, the latter delivering one other composed efficiency and crucially avoiding one other marathon to make sure he’s but to drop a set within the event.

“I thought I played a solid match today, it was a little bit scrappy, a little bit up and down but I got through in the end,” mentioned Draper in his on-court interview.

“Last yr I had a tricky yr with accidents, and this yr I’ve been capable of keep on courtroom and compete on a regular basis on the tour in opposition to the most effective gamers on the earth.

“This is why I put all the hard work in, to play in front of you guys on the biggest stage. I’m really happy and grateful. We keep wanting more.

“Playing these five-set matches is so exhausting, truthfully, so each little second we get to relaxation and recuperate for the following spherical is actually essential.”

Draper set the tone early when he broke within the second recreation of the primary set due to a medical volley, rescuing two break factors within the subsequent to open up a three-game cushion.

Van de Zandschulp’s solely break level got here two video games later when he moved inside 4-3 of his opponent by means of a backhand winner, just for Draper to clinch the opener on his fifth set level.

A defining second arrived halfway by means of the second set when, with the pair all sq. at 3-3, Van de Zandschulp got here up shy with a drop shot earlier than burying a forehand into the web handy over two break factors, the primary of which Draper would convert to maneuver into the ascendency.

Draper sealed the set with an ace moments later having gained 71 per cent of first serves and hit 11 winners whereas delivering 9 unforced errors.

The third would turn into extra of a formality as Draper asserted his dominance, back-to-back double faults from Van de Zandschulp gifting Draper the break to make it 3-2 in favour of the Brit.

Three successive double faults from Van de Zandschulp provided Draper three break factors, solely one in all which he wanted to take a 5-2 benefit to go away him in place to serve out for the match.

‘Draper in large open draw part’ | ‘It’s a giant probability’

Tim Henman on Sky Sports Tennis…

“We’ve looked at that section of the draw, and it has opened up.

“It’s simply so essential that he actually stays targeted on his preparation and efficiency, and would not get forward of himself.

“They [players in this section of the draw] will all be aware this is a big opportunity.”

Laura Robson on Sky Sports Tennis…

“It’s wide open. Jordan Thompson took out the other high seed in this section, beating Hubert Hurkacz, and for De Minaur to be the highest ranked, I think that’s an opening for a lot of players.

“Especially for Jack if we’re getting excited and searching forward.

“De Minaur hasn’t been totally healthy leading up to this tournament, he’s still been struggling with his hip and hasn’t really played since Wimbledon.

“It appears like an opportunity.”

‘Let’s not carried away’

Sky Sports’ Raz Mirza in New York:

The Sky Sports Tennis pundits are leaping on the Draper gravy practice however let’s not carried away by taking a look at his part of the draw.

Yes, he is taking part in some phenomenal tennis proper now and searching each inch a menace to go deep on the US Open, however he nonetheless has to navigate his manner by means of a difficult part of the draw.

Draper spoke about taking part in 23-year-old Czech star Machac for a spot within the quarter-finals throughout his press convention and he mentioned: “I feel like I’m in a really good place at the moment, and I’m also playing some good tennis.

“I do know that match will likely be robust, however I totally consider that if I can simply get on the market and play some tennis that I do know I’m capable of, then there is no motive why I am unable to come by means of that one.”

You would possibly keep in mind Machac when he beat Andy Murray in Miami earlier this yr. Extremely proficient and he’s but to drop a set at Flushing Meadows. Beyond that, there’s the slim risk of dealing with fellow Brit Dan Evans for a spot within the semi-finals. Well, we will at all times dream!

What’s arising on Sky Sports Tennis in September?

• Jasmin Open, Tunisia – WTA 250 (9-15 September)
• Guadalajara Open, Mexico – WTA 500 (9-15 September)
• Korea Open – WTA 500 (16 -22 September – with Emma Raducanu in motion)
• Thailand Open – WTA 250 (16 -22 September)
• Chengdu Open, China – ATP 250 (18-24 September)
• Hangzhou Open, China – ATP 250 (18-24 September)
• China Open – WTA 1000 (Sept 25 – Oct 6)
• Japan Open – ATP 500 (Sept 25 – Oct 1)
• China Open – ATP 500 (Sept 26 – Oct 2)

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