Jack Draper has made history by reaching his first grand slam semi-final with a commanding victory over Australia’s Alex de Minaur at the US Open. The British No. 1, who had never advanced this far in a major tournament before, displayed remarkable composure at Flushing Meadows, winning decisively in straight sets with scores of 6-3, 7-5, 6-2. Draper’s performance was characterized by powerful strokes and assertive play, allowing him to continue his journey in the tournament without losing a single set.
De Minaur, the tenth seed, struggled with a recurring hip issue that led to his earlier withdrawal from Wimbledon. He was unable to match Draper’s intensity and power, faltering at the start of the match and failing to recover. Draper will next face either Jannik Sinner or Daniil Medvedev in his quest for a spot in the final.
Reflecting on his win, Draper expressed his joy at playing on the grand stage, stating, “It’s amazing. Honestly, to be out here in my first match in the biggest court in the world is a dream come true for me. It means the world.” He acknowledged de Minaur’s competitive spirit and looked forward to watching the upcoming match between Sinner and Medvedev.
Draper’s journey to the semi-finals marks him as the first British man to reach this stage at Flushing Meadows since Andy Murray’s victory in 2012. His progression in the tournament continues to build on his impressive form, having not dropped a set throughout. The semi-final matches are set to take place on Friday, as Draper aims for further success on this prestigious stage.