Jack Draper flattens Tomas Machac in straight sets to reach first Grand Slam quarter-final at US Open - 'A decent level'

Jack Draper is into the first Grand Slam quarter-final of his career after a supremely impressive 6-3 6-1 6-2 win over Tomas Machac. The British No. 1 dominated from start to finish against his Czech opponent and is yet to drop a set in New York this year. Next up he will face the winner of an all-Australian match-up between Alex de Minaur and Jordan Thompson.

Highlights: Muchova, Pegula and Medvedev advance at US Open

Video credit: SNTV

Jack Draper marched into the first Grand Slam quarter-final of his career with a sensational straight-sets win over Tomas Machac at the US Open.

The British No. 1 needed just one hour and 42 minutes to notch a statement 6-3 6-1 6-2 victory inside Louis Armstrong Stadium that earned him a crack at Alex de Minaur or Jordan Thompson in the last eight.

The 22-year-old matched his best run at a major by making it to the last 16 at Flushing Meadows for a second year in a row, but went one step further with an impressive performance against the Czech.

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Draper is yet to drop a set in four matches in New York and will be high on confidence when he bids for a semi-final spot on Wednesday.

"The last few times we've played it's been a really tough battle," Draper said. "Today I thought that I played a decent level. He was maybe a little off his best but I had to stay strong in the points.

"It's just amazing to play out here in Louis Armstrong Stadium. I lost last year here in the same round, so it's nice to come back and do better this year."

After a balanced start, the Brit went on a tear of four straight games to take the opening set with a flourish, breaking on set point as Machac steered a forehand wide.

A tally of five aces and just six unforced errors to Machac’s 16 was a promising start from the 25th seed, who did not face a single break point in the opener.

Things got even better as Draper carried that momentum into set two, sandwiching an early break between two holds to take the initiative and stretch his run to seven games in a row.

Machac ended that run to get on the board in the following game, but that was as good as things got for the 23-year-old, who then surrendered three straight games as Draper moved one set from victory with little over an hour on the clock.

The Czech cut a frustrated figure as he got involved in some tetchy exchanges with his coaching box, and Draper took an early break in the third to continue his seemingly unstoppable momentum.

Another hammer backhand earned the dominant Brit a second break as he sauntered towards victory, and he saved late break chances for Machac to serve out a huge win.

It continues a strong season from Draper, who earned his first ATP Tour title at the Stuttgart Open earlier this year and is now enjoying the best run of his career at a major.

He can now start to dream of emulating Andy Murray, the last Brit to win the men's singles at the US Open back in 2012.

That was the first of three major titles the legendary Scot won during a storied career that ended at the Olympic Games this summer.

Draper competed for Team GB alongside Murray in Paris and paid tribute to his friend and compatriot after his win in New York.

"I obviously miss Andy. Shout out to Andy. What an unbelievable career the guy's had. He's an icon of the game," Draper said.

"I miss him in the changing rooms. I miss being next to his stinky shoes and all his stinky clothes. Andy's a legend and if I have half the career that he's had, then I'll be a happy man."

Medvedev brushes Borges aside

Fifth seed Daniil Medvedev motored into the quarter-finals with a 6-0 6-1 6-3 win over Nuno Borges to keep his bid for a second major title alive.

The 2021 champion is the only former US Open winner left in the men's singles draw at Flushing Meadows, and was in imperious form in a one-sided contest.

The Russian cruised to victory against the world No. 34, who was featuring in the fourth round of a Grand Slam for the second time in his career.

World No. 1 Jannik Sinner will lie in wait next for Medvedev if the Italian can get past American Tommy Paul later on Monday in their Round of 16 clash.

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