Jack Draper, the British semifinalist at the US Open, continued his impressive run by defeating Polish No. 2 seed Hubert Hurkacz 6-4, 6-4 in the Japan Open on Friday, securing a spot in the quarterfinals. The 22-year-old had made headlines earlier this month as the first British man to reach the US Open semifinals since Andy Murray's 2012 title victory, although his journey was cut short by eventual champion Jannik Sinner.
Draper showcased his resilience in Tokyo, overcoming Hurkacz in just 1 hour and 24 minutes. This victory propels him into the quarterfinals, where he will face either American Brandon Nakashima or France's Ugo Humbert. Draper’s performance highlights his upward trajectory following a challenging period of injuries.
The exit of Hurkacz leaves only three of the eight seeded players remaining in the tournament. High-profile players like No. 1 Taylor Fritz, No. 3 Casper Ruud, No. 4 Stefanos Tsitsipas, and No. 7 Frances Tiafoe all faced first-round defeats, making the tournament even more unpredictable.
Despite being unseeded in Tokyo, Draper, currently ranked 20th in the world, is proving his mettle on the court. Having battled back from multiple shoulder injuries that had previously seen him drop outside the top 100, he has shown significant improvement and determination in his recent performances.
ADD A COMMENT :