British number one Jack Draper is on the brink of reaching his maiden Grand Slam quarter-final as he takes up the challenge of Tomas Machac at the US Open. Following an excellent win over Botic van de Zandschulp without losing a single set, Draper believes that it is time he surpassed the last 16 he made in the US Open last year.
Overcoming Past Challenges: A New Mindset
For Draper, the last year bore injuries, looking into his resume, one wondered how he would perform. Though now, a completely fit Draper argues that he has no limit and could go all the way into the championship rounds. Addressing his evolution, Draper said, “I certainly feel very different from last year. There is little or no tennis played in the whole year, and injuries are constantly being battled with, – and obviously, such people come to this place.”
Confidence in Fitness and Form
Contrary to last year, Draper has no more doubts about how he will endure during the matches. “Right now I feel very different, I don’t know, I am not waking up with this fear that I am going to have to play 5 sets. He said as he put so much emphasis on his body being able to conduct and on his mind being equally ready.
Next Game: Draper vs. Machac
Draper’s next step will be to face a 23-year-old Czech player Tomas Machac who qualified for the fourth round after beating David Goffin of Belgium in three straight sets. It was Machac who defeated Draper in their only other ATP tour meeting at Geneva this year in May; 7-6 (8-6) and 6-1. The clash is pegged for Monday at approximately 18:00 BST.
Draper’s Great Year To This Point
So far, this year is a remarkable year for Draper since he won his first ATP title at the Stuttgart Open in Germany last June. He backed this successful defense up with a hugely convincing win over Wimbledon winner Carlos Alcaraz a few days later at Queethe’s tournament.
Swiatek & Sinner Take Center Stage on Day Eight
In other US Open events scheduled on the eighth day, there are also men, and women’s matches with ranked players lined up for the evening session at Arthur Ashe’s dome with action in the Women’s and Men’s singles. The Pole Iga Swiatek basks in the shade of lads has not lost any of the sets that participated in the tournament CD 16-9 – SD 00:00 CDT Liudmila Samsonova. Later in the program, the Australian Open of Italy champion Jannik Sinner will play against American Tommy Paul, seeded 14th.
American Medvedev and Pugula Best Bets of Alt Odds
Starting the day at the Louis Armstrong Stadium will be sixth seed Jessica Pegula, who will take on Diana Shnaider of Russia. As for Daniil Medvedev, the only past New York champion left in the men’s singles draw, he will face a formidable opponent in Nuno Borges of Portugal.
Doubles Action: The British Interest
The Brits will also be odds-on in this discipline of the tournament. Joe Salisbury and his American partner Rajeev Ram are in their quest for a fourth male doubles title in a row. They include reigning Wimbledon champions Henry Patten and Finn Harri Heliovaara, as well as the eighth seeds Neal Skupski and Michael Venus. In the women’s doubles, Olivia Nicholls’ and Tereza Mihalikova’s faithful effort, as well as Harriet Dart and Diane Parry’s combination, will be the British chances.
