Jack Draper vs Tomas Machac LIVE: US Open result and reaction after British No.1 dominates
The British No.1 reached his first Grand Slam quarter-final in New York
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Great Britain’s Jack Draper reached his first ever Grand Slam quarter-final after demolishing Czech Republic’s Tomas Machac 6-3 6-1 6-2 at the US Open this evening.
The British No. 1 swept through the fourth round in a dominant display which announced his desire to challenge for his first tennis major title. Draper, who has battled against injuries this season, now fully fit and aims to reach to the latter stages of the tournament at Flushing Meadows.
After a tense start to the match in which Machac started as the stronger player, Draper turned the tables with a break of serve and never looked back. His own serve was peppering Machac’s backhand and Draper’s power play from the baseline was incredible to watch.
The 22-year-old Draper is now into the quarter-finals and will hope to progress further in New York.
Relive the action from the US Open with our live blog below:
Jack Draper 6-3 6-1 3-1 Tomas Machac*
It’s another chance for Draper. A fine forehand drop shot takes him to 0-30 up against the serve and Machac has to switch on. Hefinds the baseline and forces Draper into the net to claw back a point.
The Brit finds the net again in the next rally and Machac pulls level before a blistering serve down the centre line puts him ahead.
Draper’s chance of a second break hasn’t gone as Machac goes long. It’s deuce...
Jack Draper 6-3 6-1 3-1 Tomas Machac*
When the opportunity is there Tomas Machac is unleashing all his frustration on the ball. It’s working for him in this game as he’s won both long rallies.
Draper has responded each time with rapid serves that have made the game 30-30 and only added to the Czech’s annoyance. Machac pings one into the net and Draper holds!
*Jack Draper 6-3 6-1 2-1 Tomas Machac
From this point, Draper just needs to hold his serves in the set and the match is his. Of course, it’s easy to type that out, it’s a lot harder to actually pull off.
Draper is looking strong though but Machac will rally himself. His next service game is a better on, he flies through it and gets on the board.
Jack Draper 6-3 6-1 2-0 Tomas Machac*
Machac’s mindset is on clear display as he is continuously arguing with his coach in the stands. The Czech is rattled and out of his routines.
Draper is taking advantage of that. A brilliant backhand down the line moves him to 30-0 up as he tries to complete his break. His does so with style and ease.
A hold of serve to love and Draper has control of the third set.
*Jack Draper 6-3 6-1 1-0 Tomas Machac - BREAK!
Does Tomas Machac have the mental reserves to take this game long? He’ll need to force it to five sets if he wants to make it through and that takes Andy Murray-esque levels of resilience.
This opening game of the third set may provide the answer.
A few errors including a double fault from the Czech point to his continued struggles and he offers up two break points to Jack Draper.
The first is enough for Draper as Machac rattles a forehand too wide!
Jack Draper 6-3 6-1 Tomas Machac
Jack Draper is pulling out some unbelievable shots. An inside out forehand flies across court, lands near the corner baseline and is unreturnable for Tomas Machac.
The Czech stays in the game and claws his way to 40-30 after Draper had his first set point.
Oh no! Machac manoeuvres the next rally wonderfully, he comes up to the net but then miscues the half-volley into the net. Draper takes the second set!
*Jack Draper 6-3 5-1 Tomas Machac
Machac needs to rediscover some confidence. He’s constantly looking to his coach for direction and is struggling with how solid Draper’s defence has been.
Case in point: Draper scrambles across court, reaches for a backhand and flicks it wide of Machac, bouncing the ball in play and taking the game to 30-30.
Machac then double faults and punts a forehand too long giving the game away. Draper is now serving for the set.
Jack Draper 6-3 4-1 Tomas Machac*
That’s just ruthless.
Jack Draper holds serve to love and moves one step closer to taking the second set as well. It all feels like a long way back for Tomas Machac but can the Brit keep his level this high?
*Jack Draper 6-3 3-1 Tomas Machac
Good comeback from Machac.
Draper keeps the pressure on him and takes a couple of points in the game but Machac is under no real threat from this service game and gets over the line.
He’s a break down though and needs to find another level to challenge.
Jack Draper 6-3 3-0 Tomas Machac*
There’s a bit of worry at 30-30 that Jack Draper could let the game slip away but an ace takes up closer to the hold. In the next rally a fault sees him send down a bouncy second serve which Machac dispatches for a winner!
Deuce.
At the worse possible time, Draper double faults offering Machac his first break point. The Brit’s first serve has abandoned him here but a wonderful second serve out wide is enough to force Machac into the net.
From the second deuce, Draper recovers his composure and manages to get the hold with a solid forehand passing winner. He leads in the second set.
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