JACK DRAPER BECAME the first British man since Andy Murray in 2016 to reach the US Open quarter-finals by seeing off Tomas Machac of the Czech Republic on Monday.
The 22-year-old left-hander came through 6-3, 6-1, 6-2 and has yet to drop a set at the tournament where he made his breakthrough in 2023 by reaching the fourth round.
Draper has only dropped served once over his four matches, winning 47 of 48 service games and saving 20 of 21 break points.
“I lost on Louis Armstrong Stadium in the same round last year so it was nice to come back and do better this year,” said Draper.
The British player hailed Murray, the former world number one and 2012 US Open champion, who retired from the sport following the Paris Olympics.
“He’s a legend and an icon and if I have half the career that he had I will be a happy man,” he said.
The 25th seed goes on to face either Alex de Minaur or Jordan Thompson who clash in an all-Australian battle later Monday.
Draper, who models when he is not playing tennis and featured in a Vogue photo-shoot on the eve of Wimbledon this year, was supported from his player’s box by the magazine’s editor-in-chief Anna Wintour.
“Every player has his own style. It’s important to show your tennis style and style in general,” added Draper.
Great game of football. Unfortunate mistake by Patton but what a joy to watch Murphy. This Dublin team will go down as the greatest ever and so could Murphy
@Shaun Gallagher: Murphy nowhere near greatest ever. Laughable.
@Jack Ronan: didn’t think it was funny but suppose everyone is different
Joe Brolly some dose, rte don’t make many good decisions but shafting him was spot on
@Ronny Phelan: he’s a joke, he’s become a Dublin fanatic rather than an analyst for the game. Donegal lead for 60 mins, they pegged back a 3 point deficit to a single score before the fulltime whistle went. If it went another 3 mins either side could have won it or end on a draw. Brollys acts as if we watched a Liverpool 5 nil trashing of city. Yes Dublin are good, yes they did 5 in a row, but bloody well analyse the game that was there. If monaghan beat mayo tomorrow their last 5 years performances won’t be mentioned.
@RJ: Yeah because they didnt win the last 5 all irelands and are a bunch of bottlers
@RJ: Why would anyone mention Monaghans last five years ?
Good game could have gone either way. Again time keeping inconsistencies, game stopped for nearly 2 and a half minutes for the Murphy Small sending off yet only an extra minute played.
@Gareth Keenan: refs can’t win when it comes to this.dubs cute out when the chips are down, you have to hand it to them.
@Fr Romeo sensini.: yeah definitely the GOAT.
@Fr Romeo sensini.: Refs can’t win? It’s a Flipping clock. Not a discretionary process. What a senseless comment. Over 2 mins stopped = 2 mins at least added. But I guess there was no need, Dublin had the lead
@RJ: you try doing it and dealing with 10 to 15 lads wrestling with each other at the same time.
John Small is some pantomime villain.
@Robb Stark: Oh no he isn’t
More cynical play to get Murphy sent off.
@raymond flynn: Murphy is no angel but Small is always at it.
@raymond flynn: didn’t see too many of the yahoo’s in blue running in to fight ter this evening!! But few weeks back they wer very tough trying too beat a few young Kerry players!!!
@raymond flynn: Murphy is well able to get himself sent off
@Yusufmc: grow up.
@Yusufmc: are you drunk?
@GrumpyAulFella: wish I was watching that throw ball! Thx god for hurling!!!
@Phil O Stine: what did he do to get himself sent off.
@Brian: watch the game
@Phil O Stine: he got man of the match. I guess you are 1 of those blinkered bitter supporters.
@Brian: he should have been sent off in first few minutes . He went in on Davy Byrne with his elbow. Do you are right the refs can’t do the job
To be fair the second yellow card John small received should have been a red card
@Conor Brick: To be fair, you’re talking shyte, Murphy started the handbags and dragged him to the ground. What’s he meant to do?
@Ciarán: To be fair the first yellow Murphy received should have been red
@Conor Brick: Every second yellow is a red bud ….
I suppose the refs are playing to the letter of the law but between the club final and these few league games, congress could be looking at bringing in a ladies football or rugby style clock to reduce the amount of injury time