Jack Draper Eyes Grand Slam Quarter-Final as He Takes on Tomas Machac at US Open

Jack Draper is poised to make a significant stride in his Grand Slam career as he aims to reach his first-ever quarter-final at the US Open. The British number one set up a fourth-round clash with Czech player Tomas Machac after a commanding straight-sets victory over Botic van de Zandschulp on Saturday, mirroring his best performance at a major tournament from last year.

Draper, who achieved a fourth-round run at Flushing Meadows in 2023, returns this year in far better shape. An injury-ravaged season last year left him struggling with fitness, but he now feels a renewed sense of confidence and stability. "I feel very different to last year," Draper reflected. "I think I barely played any tennis in the year, struggling with injuries all the time, and then obviously came here. I was still sort of very nervous and unsure before matches, thinking, am I going to cramp in this one? Am I going to break down physically in this one?"

With a fully fit body and a steadier mindset, Draper is no longer concerned about the physical strains of playing five-set matches. He faces Tomas Machac, who has been impressive in the tournament, at around 18:00 BST on Monday.

This year has been a standout for Draper, marked by his first ATP title at the Stuttgart Open in June and a notable victory over Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz at Queen's. His opponent, Machac, has also made headlines by reaching the fourth round of a major for the first time, having defeated Belgium's David Goffin in straight sets.

The two players previously met in Geneva in May, where Machac claimed victory with a score of 7-6 (8-6), 6-1. Draper will be looking to turn the tables and secure his place in the quarter-finals, continuing his impressive run and cementing his status as one of the rising stars of British tennis.

As Draper gears up for what promises to be a thrilling encounter, he remains focused on seizing the opportunity to advance further in the tournament and achieve a milestone that has long eluded him.