Jack Draper equals best grand slam run to reach US Open fourth round

Jack Draper continued his excellent run in New York by reaching the fourth round of the US Open by easily defeating Botic van de Zandschulp, the winner of Carlos Alcaraz, with a solid 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 victory.

It was a thoroughly professional performance from Draper, the 25th seed, who was coping with the pressure of being the heavy favorite after Van de Zandschulp’s shock win over Alcaraz on Thursday. Draper served well in the decisive moments and dictated the baseline exchanges from the start, attacking his forehand with confidence throughout.

Two days after securing the biggest win of his career, Van de Zandschulp simply couldn’t match the high level he had previously displayed. After a shaky start, he found his range and put Draper under considerable pressure with his big forehand and all-court game, but he collapsed after the British men’s No. 1 had built up a two-set lead. Towards the end of the match, the Dutchman hit five straight double faults in two service games, prompting groans and gasps from the Grandstand crowd.

“I think Botic played an unbelievable game against Carlos,” Draper said during his on-court interview. “It’s not always easy to be on that big stage and play a player like Carlos, and then come out the next round and feel really good, because it’s just so tiring in that situation. So kudos to him. I thought I played a solid game today. It was a little bit messy, a little bit inconsistent, but I got through it in the end.”

By reaching the fourth round, Draper equaled his best Grand Slam result, which he achieved last year in New York. This time around, Draper is still unset at the US Open and is clearly playing the best tennis of his career so far. After numerous surprises in the first week, Draper’s section is open and he will face the strong performing Tomas Machac from the Czech Republic for a place in the quarterfinals.