New York | Draper storms into quarter finals

Jack Draper reckons it “means the absolute world” to make the last eight of a major for the first time.

I feel amazing being in the last eight. My first quarter-final, it means the absolute world to me. I’ve definitely felt more and more confident in myself Jack DRaper

Draper destroyed Czech Tomas Machac 6-3 6-1 6-2 in just 104 minutes to become the fifth Brit to reach the stage at the US Open in the open era after Andy Murray, Tim Henman, Greg Rusedski and John Lloyd.

The world No.25 now faces Alex de Minaur aiming to become the first from his nation to make the last four since Murray secured his first major in New York 12 years ago.

And he is in a positive frame of mind.

Draper said on Sky: “I feel amazing being in the last eight. My first quarter-final, it means the absolute world to me. I’ve definitely felt more and more confident in myself.”

It might be a mixed blessing if someone of the stature of former world No.1 Murray reckons you can get “right to the top of the game”. Your belief and self-esteem could be lifted into the stratosphere, or the heightened expectations weigh your down on terra firma.

Draper, it seems, though, is clearly on the rise. The 22-year-old, rated the standard bearer for British tennis in place of the recently retired former world No.1 Murray, said to the BBC: “To follow in Andy’s footsteps, it’s a big achievement for me. I know that there’s still room for improvement and still room to hopefully go further.”

There was an early ripple of doubt in the opening games as 23-year-old Machac won the first and took Draper to 40-40 on the Brits first serve. But Jack proved he was all right as he thumped down a hat-trick of aces to hold before breaking the Czech who dumped an overhead smash into the net and drove long. And Draper, a powerful presence on the baseline, took his third set point after securing a couple with a fearsome backhand.

The Surreyite displayed variety in his play as he took a firm grip on the second set, using the drop shot to great effect.

Machac seemed to be losing his confidence with double faults proliferating his game enough for him to be broken and Draper, after surviving a break point, went 5-1 up before serving out for the second set.

Draper had his opponent by the throat and there was no let up as he broke the world No.39 at the start of the third. And he broke the Czech again before staving off five break points and completing the job.

Draper said on the BBC: “I thought I did the basics really well. I increased my level when I needed to and I was pretty clinical in some moments and that was it really. I felt like I competed really well and did what I needed to do.

“One of my main goals was to consistently be great in practice and keep my body robust and just all around get stronger and stronger and I think some of that work’s paying off. I’m just glad to be in the position I’m in.”

Tenth seed de Minaur, who defeated the other remaining Brit Dan Evans in the third round, beat Australian compatriot Jordan Thompson 6-0 3-6 6-3 7-5 in two hours and 57-minuteds to secure the opportunity of knocking out a second Brit.

And he is under no illusions as to the task in front of him.

He said on Sky: “Jack’s coming off his best year by far. He’s playing with a lot of confidence. He’s got some very big weapons; his serve, backhand, and forehand at times. So it’s always tough facing someone like him, especially a lefty.

“I have had some success in the past. I’m going to try and draw on that, on what I was able to do in those types of matches. It’s the quarter finals of a Slam. I’m going to go out there and give it my all and compete, and these matches are there to be won. Being passive is not going to get the job done.

“So I’m looking forward to the opportunity and excited for the match.”

(Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

De Minaur took an early grip against Thompson to make his third Slam quarter-final in a row, displaying his speed of movement to nullify his opponent’s groundstrokes and drop volleys.

Thompson levelled the match, but de Minaur bounced back to take the third, winning 14 of 15 first serves and securing a break in the sixth game. He sealed the win after coming back from 3-1 down in a topsy-turvy set of five service breaks.

De Minaur said: to the ATP: “I’ve got so much respect for Thommo. We’ve grown up together and he’s been like a big brother to me. I really appreciate everything he’s done for me. He’s a helluva competitor, my Davis Cup teammate and I can’t wait to share the court many, many times with him.”