Jack Draper is pleased with his performance as he improved to the R4 of US Open for the first time in his career.
Draper shares the credit of his injury comeback with all the people who supported him during the tough times and recovery process. After the ouster of Dan Evans and Cameron Norrie, Draper is the lone Brit warrior left in the men’s draw.
The 21-year-old overcame Michael Mmoh in four sets (6-4, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3) at the Grandstand court.
“I’m incredibly proud of myself,” Draper said after the triumph in his on-court interview.
“It’s been a tough year, so to come here and make the fourth round, I’m so happy with myself.
“To all the people who have helped me, that’s what the celebration was for. It’s been a rough one for me but I’m so happy with the way I came out here today.
“These five-set matches aren’t easy. You win the first couple of sets and it looks relatively convincing and he starts picking up his level after a little break and the momentum changes.
“I had to stay strong, and wait for my opportunity in the fourth set and I took advantage of that. It was tough at the end but like I said, I’m very proud of myself.”
The ATP #123 ranked started the match with full throttle and dominated for the most part of the first two sets however, the American stunted his momentum in the 3rd set to force a fourth. A regrouped Draper regained the impetus in the fourth set by demonstrating a serving clinic and returning everything hit towards him by the 25-year-old.
Draper got through a 24-shot rally to take 4-3 lead in the first set before earning and converting a crucial break. He then held his serve got a double break on the fourth BP chance to claim the opener.
The Brit came out swinging in the second set by seizing the break in the very first game to further his hold of the match however Mmoh displayed great resistance in the following game but couldn’t inflict harm as Draper held his serve to the disappointment of former. From here, it became an uphill task for American to stay in the contest. It was also Draper’s maiden win in the majors going beyond three sets.
With a double-break in the second frame, he increased his lead to three games to extend the gap between him and American. He clubbed an ace down the middle to close the second set for a 2 sets to love lead.
Mmoh showed some signs of resistance in the third set as he went a break up to 3-1 and eventually won the set but Draper roared back to claim the fourth set to book a final 16 slot at Flushing Meadows.
Draper will next face the winner of Andrey Rublev and Arthur Rinderknech.